Organic Chemistry Flashcards
What is a hydrocarbon?
A compound made of only hydrogen and carbon ONLY
What type of bonding do hydrocarbons have
Covalent because they are both non-metals
What is the formula for methane
CH4
What is the formula for Ethane
C2H6
What is the formula for propane
C3H8
What is the formula for Butane
C4H10
What is the general formula for a hydrocarbon
Cn+H2n+n
What is are isomers
compounds which have the same molecular formula but different structure
What type of bonds do alkanes have
Single
What is crude oil
A mixture of hydrocarbons which have different chain lengths and boiling points
Describe how fractional distillation separates crude oil into different fractions
The oil is heated until it is vaporised, it then goes into a fractioning column which is being heated. The hydrocarbons with longer chains have higher boiling points so ether are separated first. At the top of the column are hydrocarbons with shorter chains as they have lower boiling points.
What is incomplete combustion
Burning a hydrocarbon in a limited supply of oxygen
What is complete combustion
Burning a hydrocarbon in a unlimited supply of oxygen
What are the products of incomplete combustion
Soot - carbon and carbon monoxide
What are the products of complete combustion
Carbon Dioxide and water
What is a homogeneous series
A homologous series is a family of hydrocarbons with similar chemical properties who share the same general formula.