Organic Chemistry Flashcards
What is crude oil?
A finite resource found in rocks, consisting mainly of ancient biomass buried in mud.
What are hydrocarbons?
Molecules made up of hydrogen and carbon atoms only.
What are alkanes?
A type of hydrocarbon with the general formula CnH2n+2.
Name the first four members of the alkane series.
- Methane
- Ethane
- Propane
- Butane
What properties of hydrocarbons depend on molecular size?
- Boiling point
- Viscosity
- Flammability
What is produced during the complete combustion of hydrocarbons?
- Carbon dioxide
- Water
How are hydrocarbons separated into fractions?
By fractional distillation.
What are some fuels produced from crude oil?
- Petrol
- Diesel oil
- Kerosene
- Heavy fuel oil
- Liquefied petroleum gases
What is the role of the petrochemical industry?
Produces solvents, lubricants, polymers, and detergents.
What gases may have formed the early atmosphere?
- Carbon dioxide
- Nitrogen
- Methane
- Ammonia
What caused the increase of oxygen in the atmosphere?
Photosynthesis by algae and plants.
What are the current proportions of gases in the atmosphere?
- About 80% nitrogen
- About 20% oxygen
- Small proportions of other gases
True or False: Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that is colorless and odorless.
True
What are greenhouse gases?
Gases that maintain temperatures on Earth high enough to support life, including water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane.
List two human activities that increase carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
- Burning fossil fuels
- Deforestation
What is the carbon footprint?
The total amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted over the full life cycle of a product, service, or event.
What is cracking in the context of hydrocarbons?
The process of breaking down hydrocarbons to produce smaller, more useful molecules.
What are alkenes?
A type of hydrocarbon produced during cracking that is more reactive than alkanes.
What distinguishes thermosoftening polymers from thermosetting polymers?
Thermosoftening polymers melt when heated; thermosetting polymers do not.
Fill in the blank: Alkenes react with _______ water, which is used as a test for alkenes.
bromine
Describe the structure of polymers.
Polymers have very large molecules with atoms linked by strong covalent bonds.
What is the general representation of a polymer?
Where n is a large number.
What is the effect of increased atmospheric pollutants?
Causes respiratory problems, acid rain, global dimming, and health issues.
What is one theory about the formation of the Earth’s early atmosphere?
Intense volcanic activity released gases that formed the early atmosphere and water vapor.
