Organic Chemistry Flashcards
What is a hydrocarbon?
Molecule that only contains the elements carbon and hydrogen
What is the simplest type of hydrocarbon?
Alkanes
Why is carbon a useful element for making large compounds?
Carbon can form four strong bonds with other atoms, including carbon and hydrogen
Give an example of a hydrocarbon and a non-hydrocarbon
Hydrocarbon - Butane (C4H10)
Non-Hydrocarbon - butanol (C4H9OH): Contains Oxygen
What is organic chemistry?
The study of compounds that contain carbon
What is the general formula for alkanes?
CnH2n+2
List the first four alkanes and their molecular formulas
- Methane: CH4
- Ethane: C2H6
- Propane: C3H8
- Butane: C4H10
Why are Alkanes Saturated?
Every carbon atom has four single covalent bonds
What is the definition of a homologous series?
A homologous series is a group of organic compounds that have similar chemical properties, due to them having the same functional group
What is the general formula for alkanes?
CnH2n+2
What happens to an alkane if one of its single bonds is replaced by a double bond?
It becomes an alkene
Why is methane classified as an alkane?
Has a single carbon atom bonded to 4 hydrogens
Explain why butanol is not classified as a hydrocarbon?
Contains an oxygen atom in addition to carbon and hydrogen
Describe the difference between saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons
- Saturated Hydrocarbons - Have single bonds only
- Unsaturated Hydrocarbons - have at least 1 double bond
How does the molecular formula of an alkane change as the series progresses?
Each alkane increases by one carbon atom and two hydrogen atoms
What is crude oil?
is a mixture of many different compounds
Most of the compounds are hydrocarbons
How is crude oil formed?
It forms from the remains of dead plants and animals, particularly plankton, buried in mud and exposed to high pressure and temperature over millions of years
Why is crude oil considered non-renewable?
It takes millions of years to form
What are examples of Crude Oil?
- Natural gas
- Coal
What is fractional distillation?
A process to separate crude oil into its components based on their different boiling points
How does a fractionating column work?
- It is hot at the bottom and cooler at the top.
- As gases rise, they condense into liquids when they reach a temperature lower than their boiling point
What are hydrocarbons with long chains used for?
- Bitumen for roads
- heavy fuel oil for heating
- lubricating oil
What fuels are obtained from shorter chain hydrocarbons?
- Diesel
- Petrol
- Kerosene
What is LPG, and what does it contain?
- Liquefied petroleum gas;
- It contains propane and butane, which are short-chain alkanes