Tuesday, June 7, 2011

3.1 I can explain the terms homologous series, hydrocarbon, saturated, unsaturated, general formula and isomerism

Term
Definition
Example
Homologous series
 A family or series of Hydrocarbons that have similar chemical properties.

 Alkanes
Alkenes
Hydrocarbon
 Organic compounds that consist of only Hydrogen and Carbon

 Ethanol
Saturated hydrocarbon
 Alkanes (paraffins) - hydrocarbons that have a carbon 'skeleton' or 'back-bone' 
Hydrogen must have 4 bonds

 Methane
Unsaturated hydrocarbon
 Alkenes (olefins) - Hydrocarbons with at least one carbon to carbon double bond.

 Ethylene
General formula
 Within a series; it shows the relationship between the number of C atoms and H atoms in the compounds

Alkanes - CnH2n+2
 Alkenes - CnH2n.
 Hexane C6H14
Propene C3H6
Isomerism
 Isomers have the same formula but their atoms are arranged differently. 
Different physical properties

 Propane

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