Topic 6 - Organic Compounds

Question 1

what does the general formula show you?

Answer 1

general formula can describe any member of a family of compounds (e.g. CₙH₂ₙ for alkenes)

Question 2

what is the empirical formula?

Answer 2

the simplest whole number ratio of atoms of each element in a compound (e.g. CH₂ for ethene)

Question 3

what is the molecular formula?

Answer 3

the actual number of atoms of each element in a molecule (e.g. C₂H₄ for ethene)

Question 4

what is the displayed formula?

Answer 4

shows how the atoms are arranged and all the bonds between them

Question 5

what is the structural formula?

Answer 5

shows the arrangement of atoms carbon by carbon (e.g. CH₂CH₂ for ethene)

Question 6

what is a homologous series?

Answer 6

a group of compounds that can all be represented by the same general formula - they also all contain the same functional group

Question 7

what is a functional group?

Answer 7

a group of atoms that determine how a compound typically reacts

Question 8

do compounds in a homologous series react similarly?

Answer 8

yes