Alkanes

What are alkanes?

Saturated hydrocarbons containing only single carbon–carbon bonds.

What is the general formula of alkanes?

CₙH₂ₙ₊₂.

Why are alkanes described as saturated?

They contain only single carbon–carbon bonds.

What is the molecular formula of methane?

CH₄.

What is the molecular formula of ethane?

C₂H₆.

What is the molecular formula of propane?

C₃H₈.

What is the molecular formula of butane?

C₄H₁₀.

What is the molecular formula of pentane?

C₅H₁₂.

What is the molecular formula of hexane?

C₆H₁₄.

What is the molecular formula of heptane?

C₇H₁₆.

What is the molecular formula of octane?

C₈H₁₈.

What is the molecular formula of nonane?

C₉H₂₀.

What is the molecular formula of decane?

C₁₀H₂₂.

What is the main chemical reaction of alkanes studied at GCSE?

Combustion.

Why are alkanes useful as fuels?

They release energy during combustion.

What is the difference between alkanes and alkenes?

Alkanes contain only single carbon–carbon bonds, whereas alkenes contain at least one carbon–carbon double bond.

Why are alkanes generally less reactive than alkenes?

They do not contain the reactive carbon–carbon double bond found in alkenes.

How does each successive alkane differ from the previous one?

By CH₂.

What type of bonding occurs within alkane molecules?

Covalent bonding.

What happens to the boiling points of alkanes as chain length increases?

They increase because intermolecular forces become stronger.