info@ormalearn.com   +254721524786

×

CHEMISTRY LEVEL 3


1. GAS LAWS
2. THE MOLE: Formulae and Chemical Equations
3. ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 1
4. NITROGEN AND ITS COMPOUNDS
5. SULPHUR AND ITS COMPOUNDS
6. CHLORINE AND ITS COMPOUNDS
7. A guide to chemical tests based on this module
Content developer

Organic Chemistry 1: Formulae of alkanes

3.0 Organic Chemistry 1


3.1.1 Formulae of alkanes

The first two members of the alkane family are methane, CH4 (the main component of biogas) and ethane, C2H6 (Table 3.1(a)). There are many other alkanes, with carbon atoms upto about 70 per molecule.


Table 3.1(a): Molecules of the first two alkanes

Single bond in alkanes,organic chemistry1, high school chemistry

NB: Carbon and hydrogen atoms have valencies of 4 and 1 so they form 4 bonds and 1 bond respectively. This fact can be used to draw the molecule of any alkane, given the number of carbon atoms in it.


Questions 3.1(b)

  1. Study the two examples given in Table 3.1(a); then complete Table 3.1(b). Table 3.1(b): The first nine alkanes
  2. From Table 3.1(b), does the alkane in candle wax have a longer or shorter chain of carbon atoms than nonane? Explain your answer.
  3. From the trend (or series) in Table 3.1(b), complete the general formula CnH- of alkanes, where n is the number of carbon atoms in a molecule.
  4. Name the 10th member of the alkane family.

Answers to Questions 3.1(b)


Study the arrangement of carbon atoms in butane as an example of alkanes (Figure 3.1(b)).

Ball-and-stick model of butane (an alkane),organic chemistry 1,high school chemistry

Figure 3.1(b): Ball-and-stick model of butane (an alkane)


Carbon atoms in alkanes are actually arranged in a zigzag manner, occupying the corners and ends of the zigzag. A simple skeletal formula (representation) of alkanes is therefore as shown in Figure 3.1(c).



Arrangement of carbon atoms in open chain alkanes,high school chemistry

Figure 3.1(c): Arrangement of carbon atoms in open chain alkanes


The main source of alkanes is crude oil, which is a solution of many different oils.


Questions 3.1(c)

  1. Name a suitable method of separating components of crude oil.
  2. What does this method of separation rely on?

Answers to Questions 3.1(c)


Observe the following animation on separation of components of crude oil.

fractionating chamber,high school chemistry

Figure 3.1(d): Animate a hot flame and vapours of the different colours shown, rising and condensing in the trays


Questions 3.1(d)

In the animation, identify the component with (a) the lowest and (b) highest boiling point.


Answers to Questions 3.1(d)