Fuels and Hydrocarbons Flashcards

Flashcards from lecture notes about Fuels and Hydrocarbons

Fossil Fuels

Non-renewable resources that take a very long time to form and are limited in quantity.

Natural Gas

A gaseous fossil fuel consisting mainly of methane (CH4).

Fossil Fuels

Non-renewable resources that take a very long time to form and are limited in quantity.

Natural Gas

A gaseous fossil fuel consisting mainly of methane (CH4).

Combustion of Natural Gas

The reaction of methane (CH4) with oxygen (O2) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), and heat.

Crude Oil

Also known as petroleum, contains a mixture of hydrocarbons that need to be separated into different groups.

Biofuels

Renewable fuels derived from plants or animals, such as sugarcane used to produce bioethanol.

Bioethanol Combustion

The reaction of ethanol (C2H5OH) with oxygen (O2) to produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).

Alkanes

Hydrocarbons that contain only carbon-to-carbon single bonds and carbon-to-hydrogen bonds with the general formula CnH2n+2.

Viscosity (Alkanes)

Increases with molecular size due to stronger forces of attraction.

Combustion (Alkanes)

When alkanes burn in excess oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water.

Substitution Reaction (Alkanes)

Alkanes react with halogens (e.g., chlorine, bromine) in the presence of ultraviolet (UV) light.

Alkenes

Hydrocarbons that contain at least one carbon-carbon double bond (C=C) with the general formula CnH2n.

Viscosity (Alkenes)

Increases with molecular size.

Combustion (Alkenes)

When alkenes burn in excess oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water.

Hydrogenation (Alkenes)

Alkenes react with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst at 150°C to form alkanes.

Bromination (Alkenes)

Alkenes react with bromine to form dibromoalkanes.

Homologous Series

A family of compounds with the same general formula, showing similar chemical properties due to the same functional group.

Cracking

A process in which larger hydrocarbon molecules are broken down into smaller hydrocarbon molecules in the presence of a catalyst (aluminum oxide/silicon oxide) at high temperature and a pressure of about 1 atm.

Saturated Hydrocarbons

Contain only C-C single bonds, are unreactive, and do not decolorize aqueous bromine.

Unsaturated Hydrocarbons

Contain C=C double bonds, are more reactive, and decolorize aqueous bromine.

Polyunsaturated Fat

Contains hydrocarbon chains with two or more carbon-carbon double bonds in each chain.