Questions and Answers
What element must be present for a compound to be considered organic?
carbon
What other element is almost always present in an organic molecule?
hydrogen
List three carbon-containing compounds that are considered inorganic.
carbonates, carbides, and oxides
List three inorganic compounds that do not contain carbon.
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What two elements are present in a hydrocarbon?
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What is organic chemistry the study of?
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What element do all organic compounds contain?
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What other element do most organic compounds contain?
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Explain why carbon forms so many compounds.
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What is the definition of hydrocarbon?
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What is the chemical name of the simplest hydrocarbon?
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What is its common name?
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What is it used for?
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What three elements are present in alcohol?
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What is the definition of solvent?
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What is one use for methanol?
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What is one use for ethanol?
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What is one use for isopropyl alcohol?
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What is the difference in molecular formula between methane and methanol?
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What is the difference in molecular formula between ethane and ethanol?
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What is the difference in molecular formula between propane and isopropyl alcohol?
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Study Notes
Organic Compounds Overview
- Organic compounds must contain carbon to be classified as such.
- Hydrogen is almost always found in conjunction with carbon in organic molecules.
- Compounds like carbonates, carbides, and oxides contain carbon but are classified as inorganic.
Inorganic Compounds
- Some inorganic compounds do not contain carbon, including calcium nitrite, sodium phosphite, and cesium sulfite.
Hydrocarbons
- Hydrocarbons consist exclusively of carbon and hydrogen atoms.
- The definition of hydrocarbons includes their nature as organic compounds comprised solely of carbon and hydrogen.
Carbon's Versatility
- Carbon's ability to form four bonds due to having four valence electrons contributes to the vast diversity of compounds it can create.
Examples of Organic Compounds
- Common organic compounds include various forms such as CH3CH2OH (ethanol), K2HC6H5O7 (potassium hydrogen citrate), and CH4 (methane).
- Some compounds that are often considered organic despite their inorganic characteristics are CaCO3 (calcium carbonate) and CO2 (carbon dioxide).
Properties of Hydrocarbons and Alcohols
- Methane, the simplest hydrocarbon, has the formula CH4 and is commonly used as a fuel in natural gas heaters.
- Alcohols like ethyl alcohol (ethanol) and isopropyl alcohol contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, serving various functional purposes such as fuel and sterilizers, respectively.
Solvents
- A solvent is defined as a liquid capable of dissolving other substances.
- Methanol serves as a common solvent in various applications.
Molecular Differences
- Methanol (CH3OH) differs from methane (CH4) by the presence of oxygen.
- Ethanol (C2H5OH) is distinguished from ethane (C2H6) by its oxygen atom.
- Isopropyl alcohol (C3H8O) differs from propane (C3H8) by having an oxygen atom in its structure.
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Description
Test your knowledge on organic compounds with these flashcards. Learn key concepts such as the requirements for a compound to be considered organic and the common elements found in organic molecules. Perfect for students studying chemistry or related fields.