Organic Chemistry - Physical and Chemical Properties of Hydrocarbons

These flashcards cover the physical and chemical properties of hydrocarbons as discussed in the lecture, focusing on trends in melting and boiling points, combustion reactions, and the balancing of chemical equations.

Alkanes

Hydrocarbons that contain only single bonds and follow the formula CnH2n+2.

Combustion

A chemical reaction in which a substance combines with oxygen, producing heat and light.

Exothermic reaction

A reaction that releases energy in the form of heat.

Dispersion forces

Weak intermolecular forces resulting from temporary shifts in electron density.

Melting point trend

Melting points of alkanes increase as the size (number of carbon atoms) increases.

Boiling point trend

Boiling points of alkanes increase with the increase in the size of the hydrocarbons.

Balancing combustion reactions

A method where carbon atoms are balanced first, followed by hydrogen and then oxygen.

Propane

An alkane with three carbon atoms and eight hydrogen atoms (C3H8).

Butane

An alkane with four carbon atoms (C4H10), commonly used in combustion reactions.

Density trend

The density of alkanes increases as the size of the molecules increases.

Chemical formula of propane

C3H8.

Oxygen in combustion

In combustion reactions, hydrocarbons react with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water.