Alkanes- Saturated hydrocarbons with the general formula CnH2n+2.

Saturated Hydrocarbons- Compounds of hydrogen and carbon only in which the carbon carbon bonds are all single covalent bonds, resulting in the maximum number of hydrogen atoms in their molecules.

Free Radical Substitution- Reaction in which halogen atoms substitute for hydrogen atoms in alkanes; involves steps in which free radicals are produced (initiation), regenerated (propagation, and consumed (termination).

Alkenes- Unsaturated hydrocarbons with a C=C bond, general formula CnH2n.

Unsaturated Hydrocarbons- Compounds of hydrogen and carbon only whose molecules contain C=C (Carbon Carbon triple bonds also).

Cracking- The process in which large, less useful hydrocarbon molecules are broken down into smaller, more useful molecules.

Polymer- A long chain molecule made up of many repeating units.

Monomer- A small, reactive molecule that reacts to make long chain molecules called polymers.

Addition Polymerization- The reaction in which monomers containing C=C react together to form long chain molecules called polymers.