introduction to organic chemistry

Question 1

what is a hydrocarbon?

Answer 1

a molecule containing only hydrogen and carbon

Question 2

how to represent organic molecules using molecular formula

Answer 2

the actual number of atoms of each element in a molecule.

e.g. ethane is C2H4

Question 3

how to represent organic molecules using general formula

Answer 3

the relationship between the number of atoms of one element to another within a molecule. The general formula for alkanes is CnH2n+2 and the general formula for alkenes is CnH2n.

e.g. ethane would be CnH2n

Question 4

how to represent organic molecules using displayed formula

Answer 4

a full structural formula which shows all the bonds in a molecule as individual lines.

e.g. ethane would be

H H
\ /
C = C
/ \
H H

Question 4

how to represent organic molecules using structural formula

Answer 4

shows how the atoms in a molecule are joined together

e.g. ethane would be CH2 = CH2

Question 5

how to represent organic molecules using empirical formula

Answer 5

shows the simplest whole number ratio of atoms present in a compound. So the molecular formula is a multiple of the empirical formula.

e.g. ethane would be CH2

Question 6

what are isomers

Answer 6

molecules with the same molecular structure but with a different structure