Organic Chemistry Flashcards
What is Crude Oil
Crude oil is a finite resource and it is the remains of ancient biomass
What is a hydrocarbon
a hydrocarbon is a molecule which contains hydrogen and carbon atoms ONLY
What is the general formula for alkenes
CnH2n
What is an alkene
An alkene is a unsaturated hydrocarbon which contains at least one carbon - carbon double bond
What is the general formula for alkanes
CnH2n+2
What is an alkane
An alkane is a saturated hydrocarbon
What is cracking
Cracking is the process of breaking down or “cracking” large chain alkanes into smaller alkanes and an alkene
Why do we use cracking
We use cracking because there is a high demand for shorter chain hydrocarbons as they are more flammable than longer chain hydrocarbons which makes them good fuels
What is the test for alkenes
if an alkene is present bromine water will turn COLOURLESS
What is catalytic cracking
In catalytic cracking, high temperatures vaporise the hydrocarbon and then the vapour is passed over a catalyst (eg: porous pot or aluminium oxide) to form a shorter chain hydrocarbon
What is steam cracking
In steam cracking, high temperatures vaporise the hydrocarbon and then the vapour is mixed with steam and heated to very high temperatures to form smaller chain hydrocarbons
What happens during the complete combustion of hydrocarbons
During complete combustion, the carbon and the hydrogen become oxidised and they release energy carbon dioxide and water
What happens during the incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons
During incomplete combustion, carbon monoxide is produced as well as water and carbon (soot)
How does boiling point change as the length of hydrocarbons increases
As the length of the hydrocarbon increases, boiling point increases
What is viscosity and how is it affected by hydrocarbon chain length
Viscosity is how easily the hydrocarbon flows and as hydrocarbon length increases, viscosity increases
