Properties of hydrocarbons

Viscosity

Viscosity tells us the thickness of a liquid.

Liquids with a high viscosity flow slowly.

As the size of the hydrocarbon molecules increases, the molecules get more viscous, meaning that long chain hydrocarbons flow very slowly.

Flammability

How easily a hydrocarbon combusts.

Short chain hydrocarbons are extremely flammable.

As the size increases, they get less and less flammable.

Boiling Point

The temperate at which a liquid turns to a gas.

Short chain hydrocarbons have low boiling points. The main 4 alkanes are all gases at room temperature.

As the size increases, the boiling point increases.