Section 3: Organic Chemistry Flashcards
Define a hydrocarbon?
a molecule that is made up only of hydrogen and carbon atoms
What is the general formula for all alkanes?
CnH2n+2
what is the name of the alkane with a molecular formula of CH4?
Methane
what is the molecular formula of ethane?
C2H6
what is the name of the alkane with a molecular formula of C3H8?
Propane
What is the molecular formula of butane?
C4H10
What is the name of C5H12?
Pentane
What is a homologous series?
a group of compounds that can all be represented by the same molecular formula
How many covalent bonds can a carbon atom form?
4
How many covalent bonds can a hydrogen atom form?
1
If an alkane is saturated, what does this mean?
the carbon atoms have formed four bonds and the hydrogen atoms have formed 1, no carbon carbon double bonds
write the word equation for complete combustion
alkane + oxygen –> carbon dioxide + water (+energy)
what colour is the flame when gas burns in complete combustion?
clean blue
write the word equation for incomplete combustion
alkane + oxygen –> carbon + carbon monoxide + carbon dioxide + water (+energy)
In the presence of ultraviolet light, alkanes react with halogens to form what?
haloalkenes
the reaction between an alkane and a halogen is called a
substitution reaction
in incomplete combustion, the gas burns with what colour flame?
smoky yellow
why is the reaction between an alkane and a halogen called a substitution reaction?
a hydrogen atom from the alkane is substituted by the halogen
the prescence of what kind of light is required for a halogen to react with an alkane to form a haloalkane?
ultraviolet
what distinguishes an alkene from an alkane, apart from its general formula?
alkenes have a double bond between two of the carbon atoms in their chain
why are alkenes unsaturated?
because they can make more bonds if the double bond opens up
what is the general formula for an alkene?
CnH2n
what is the molecular formula of ethene?
C2H4
what is the name of the alkene with a molecular formula of C3H6?
propene