Organic Chemistry Part 1

Question 1

What is a hydrocarbon?

Answer 1

A compound made up of only hydrogen and carbon atoms

Question 2

General formula of alkanes:

Answer 2

Hn C2n+2

Question 3

What is a homologous series?

Answer 3

Same general formula
Same functional group
Trend in physical properties
Same chemical properties

Question 4

What is a functional group?

Answer 4

A group of atoms that determine how a compound typically reacts

Question 5

Names of the first 6 alkanes (by number of carbon atoms):

Answer 5

1 methane
2 ethane
3 propane
4 butane
5 pentane
6 hexane

Question 6

What are isomers?

Answer 6

Molecules with the same molecular formula but different structural formula (arranged differently)

Question 7

What is crude oil made up of?

Answer 7

A mixture of different hydrocarbons

Question 8

Steps of fractional distillation:

Answer 8

1. The crude oil is heated up until most of it has evaporated into gas.
2. The gases enter a fractionating column (the liquid part, bitumen, is drained off at the bottom)
3. The longer hydrocarbons, which have the higher boiling points, condense and drain out early on, near the bottom.
4. The shorter hydrocarbons with lower boiling points condense into liquid further up the column, where it’s cooler