Organic Chemistry: Introduction to Hydrocarbons

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts in organic chemistry related to hydrocarbons.

Hydrocarbons

Carbon-containing organic compounds that provide a source of energy and raw materials.

Methane

The simplest hydrocarbon molecule (CH4), consisting of one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms.

Organic Compounds

Compounds produced by living organisms, containing carbon, usually bonded to hydrogen.

Vitalism

The outdated theory that organic compounds can only be produced by living organisms.

Homologous Series

A series of compounds that differ from one another by a repeating unit and have a fixed numerical relationship among the number of atoms.

Covalent Bonds

Strong bonds formed when two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons.

Saturated Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons that contain only single bonds and do not react with bromine.

Unsaturated Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons that contain one or more double or triple bonds and react with bromine.

Structural Formula

A formula that shows the general arrangement of atoms in a molecule.

Ball-and-Stick Model

A model that shows the type of atoms in the molecule and clearly illustrates the geometry of the molecule.