Organic Chemistry Quiz: Alkanes and Conformations

Crystals are formed when molecules fit together in a specific, repeating pattern called a lattice. The size of the molecules and how well they fit influence the forces holding the crystal together.

A substance that does not dissolve in water but dissolves in non-water based solvents like oil.

Substances with a high density are heavier than water.

Alkanes are a group of chemicals that become heavier as they get bigger, but they're always lighter than water.

As the size of an alkane molecule increases, its density also increases.

The arrangement of atoms in a molecule in three-dimensional space, considering the rotation around single bonds.

A way of representing a molecule, looking down a carbon-carbon bond. It shows the positions of groups attached to those carbons.

A conformation where attached groups are directly opposite each other in a Newman projection.

A conformation where attached groups are directly aligned with each other in a Newman projection.

Another way to view a molecule, similar to Newman projection, but showing the front carbon on a diagonal.

Hydrocarbons are compounds that contain only carbon and hydrogen atoms.

Open chain hydrocarbons, also called aliphatic hydrocarbons, have a straight or branched chain structure. They are further categorized into saturated (alkanes) and unsaturated (alkenes and alkynes) based on the presence of double or triple bonds between carbon atoms.

Closed chain hydrocarbons have a ring-like structure. Aromatic hydrocarbons, like benzene, have a specific ring structure with alternating single and double bonds.

Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons, meaning they have only single bonds between carbon atoms. The general formula for alkanes is CnH2n+2.

Alkanes are relatively unreactive due to the strong C-H bonds. They are often used as fuels because they readily burn in the presence of oxygen to release energy.

The arrangement of atoms in a molecule that can change due to rotation around single bonds.

The energy required to rotate a molecule around a single bond.

The angle between two planes defined by two adjacent C-C bonds. It determines the amount of torsional strain.