IGCSE Edexcel Chemistry – Deep Organic Chemistry Revision

Vocabulary-based flashcards covering technical terms, definitions, and environmental impacts found in the IGCSE Edexcel Chemistry organic chemistry lecture notes.

Homologous series

A family of organic compounds with the same functional group, same general formula, similar chemical properties, and a gradual change in physical properties, where successive members differ by $CH_2$.

Alkanes

A saturated hydrocarbon containing only single carbon-carbon bonds.

Alkenes

An unsaturated hydrocarbon containing a carbon-carbon double bond.

Saturated

A substance that contains only single carbon-carbon bonds and has the maximum possible number of hydrogen atoms.

Unsaturated

A substance that contains a carbon-carbon double bond and does not contain the maximum possible number of hydrogen atoms.

Crude oil

A mixture of hydrocarbons with different boiling points.

Fractional distillation

A process where crude oil is heated and separated into fractions because they have different boiling points.

Volatile

The property of a substance that evaporates easily.

Intermolecular forces (Larger hydrocarbons)

Stronger forces found in larger molecules that require more energy to overcome, resulting in higher boiling points.

Bromine water test (for Alkenes)

A test where an orange solution decolourises to colourless because bromine reacts with the carbon-carbon double bond.

Addition reaction

A reaction where atoms are added across a carbon-carbon double bond, characteristic of alkenes.

Cracking

The process of breaking down large, less useful hydrocarbons into smaller, more useful hydrocarbons using strong heat and a catalyst.

Complete combustion

The burning of hydrocarbons in excess oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water.

Incomplete combustion

The burning of hydrocarbons in a limited supply of oxygen to produce carbon monoxide and soot.

Carbon monoxide

A poisonous gas that reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen.

Sulphur dioxide

A gas that forms when sulphur impurities in fuels burn, leading to the formation of acid rain.

Nitrogen oxides

Gases formed in car engines when high temperatures allow nitrogen and oxygen from the air to react, contributing to acid rain.

Acid rain effects

Environmental damage including the destruction of limestone buildings, acidification of lakes (killing fish), and damage to trees and plants.