Fossil Fuels Overview

A functional group is the part of a molecule that largely dictates how the molecule will react.

The general formula for alkanes is CnH2n+2.

As the chain length of alkanes increases, their melting and boiling points rise, viscosity increases, and flammability decreases.

<p>Alkanes are referred to as saturated hydrocarbons because they contain only single carbon-carbon bonds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Alkanes burn well in the presence of oxygen, forming carbon dioxide and water vapor while releasing heat.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The first four alkanes are gases at room temperature, the next twelve are liquids, and the rest are solids.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Alkanes are significant because they are primary components of petroleum and natural gas, providing a major energy source.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The energy required to separate alkane molecules increases as the chain length increases.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Complete combustion of methane produces carbon dioxide and water, while incomplete combustion produces carbon monoxide and water.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>During a substitution reaction, chlorine replaces hydrogen atoms in alkanes, forming chlorinated alkanes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Isomers are compounds with the same molecular formula but different structures, such as C4H10.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Alkenes have the general formula CnH2n and possess a C=C double bond.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Alkenes are produced from alkanes through a process called cracking.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Alkenes are more reactive due to the presence of the C=C double bond, which can break to form new bonds with other atoms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Polymerization is the process where alkene monomers react with each other to form long-chain polymers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Bromine water can be used to test for unsaturation; an unsaturated hydrocarbon will decolorize the orange solution.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Fractional distillation separates compounds based on their boiling points, with smaller molecules boiling off first and rising to the top.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Cracking is necessary to break down long-chain hydrocarbons into smaller, more usable molecules and to remove impurities such as sulfur.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>As molecular size increases, the fractions become more viscous and less flammable.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Cracking ethane yields ethene and hydrogen.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>In the refinery, cracking involves heating long-chain hydrocarbons to vaporize them and passing the vapors over a hot catalyst for thermal decomposition.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The two main treatments are removing impurities, especially sulfur compounds, and separating fractions into smaller compounds.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The fractions condense at different heights based on their boiling points, with smaller molecules condensing higher up.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The delivery tube must be lifted out to prevent water from being sucked into the hot test tube once heating stops.</p> Signup and view all the answers