Tuesday, May 24, 2011

3.1 - I can explain the terms homologous series, hydrocarbon, saturated, unsaturated, general formula and isomerism

Term
Definition
Example
Homologous series
 A family of hydrocarbons with the same general formula.


Hydrocarbon
 A molecule consisting only of hydrogen and carbon atoms.

 Methane
Saturated hydrocarbon
 A hydrocarbon with only single covalent bonds which can not hold any more atoms with out additional bonds being formed.

 Pentane
Unsaturated hydrocarbon
 A hydrocarbon containing double or triple covalent bonds that can hold additional atoms without creating any more bonds, but only by moving bonds.

 Butene
General formula
 A mathmatical formula that applies to an entire homologous series and will allow one to find the number of hydrogen atoms in a certain hydrocarbon based on the number of carbon atoms in the molecule.


Isomerism
The trait of molecules to become isomers. An isomer is a hydrocarbon with the same molecular formula as it's corresponding hydrocarbon, but with a different atomic arrangement.  

 2,2 dimethylpropane

2 comments:

  1. 3.1 great work Brett, but please note that the double bonds in a saturated hydrocarbon are carbon carbon double bonds

    ReplyDelete