IGCSE combined science (mod 8-)

Organic chemistry

Studies on the structure, properties, reactions of organic compounds that contain carbon in covalent bonding

Saturated hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbon molecule in which all carbon-carbon bonds are single and covalent

Alkanes

Series of hydrocarbons with the general formula CnH2n+2. Saturated because only single bonds between carbons in their structure

Unsaturated hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbon which contains at least one carbon-carbon double/triple bond

Alkenes

Series of homologous with general formula CnH2n. Unsaturated because they contain carbon-carbon double bonds

Hydrocarbon

Organic compound containing ONLY carbon and hydrogen. Ex. Alkanes, alkenes

Homologous series

Family of similar compounds and chemical properties due to having the same functional group

Functional group

Atom or group of atoms responsible for characteristic reactions of compound

General formula

Algebraic formula describing all members of a homologous series

Addition reaction

Reaction in which a simple molecule adds across the carbon-carbon double bond of an alkene

Methane formula

CH4

Ethane

C2H6

Propane

C3H8

Butane

C4H10

Pentane

C5H12

Catalytic cracking

Decomposition of long-chain alkanes into alkenes and alkanes of lower relative molecular mass. Involves passing larger alkanes over catalyst heated to 500°C

Fractional distillation

Method of distillation using a fractionating column used to separate liquids with different boiling points

Hydrogenation

Addition reaction in which hydrogen is added across the double bond in an alkane

Hydration

Addition of elements of water across a carbon-carbon double bond: H- adds to one carbon and -OH to the other

Coal

Black, solid fossil fuel former underground over very long periods of time by conditions of high pressure and temperature acting on decayed vegetation

Natural gas

Fossil fuel formed underground over very long periods of time by conditions of high pressure and temperature acting on the remains of sea creatures (90%+ methane)

Petroleum

Fossil fuel formed underground over very long periods of time by conditions of high pressure and temperature acting on remains of sea creatures

Non renewable resources

Sources of energy (often formed in the Earth over millennia) which humans are using up at a rapid rate and cannot replace

Chemical feedstock

Chemical element or compound which can be used as a raw material for an industrial process making useful chemical products

Fractions (from distillation)

Different mixtures that distil over at different temperatures during fractional distillation

Fractionating column

Vertical column used to bring about separation of liquids in fractional distillation