Alkanes and homologous

SC22.6w series – Homework 1

Name Class Date

1 There are several different homologous series. Complete the table by placing a tick () in each correct
box to show the general features of all homologous series.

Feature 
Their compounds all have the same physical properties.
Their compounds all have similar chemical properties.
Their compounds all have the same general formula.
Their molecules all contain ionic bonds.

2 The alkanes form an homologous series. The diagram shows the structural
formula of butane.
a State the number of:
⡯‫؀‬⡯⡯ ⡯ ⡯‫ ؀‬⡯‫؀‬⡯‫ ؀‬carbon atoms in a molecule of butane

4
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ii hydrogen atoms in a molecule of butane.

10
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b Use your answers to part a to write the molecular formula for butane.
H3C-CH2-CH2-H3C
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c Pentane, C5H12, is the next alkane in the alkane homologous series. H H H H H

i Draw the structural formula of pentane in the box. H C C

H
C C C
ii Describe two differences between the structural formulae of
butane and pentane. H H H H H

Pentane has one more carbon atom and 2 more hydrogen atoms compared to butane
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d Use your answers to parts b and c to describe how the molecular formulae of pentane and butane differ
from each other.
Pentane has one more carbon atom and 2 more hydrogen atoms compared to butane
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3 The different fractions obtained from crude oil contain compounds that are mostly alkanes.
a Explain why alkanes can be described as hydrocarbons.

they contain both hydrogen and carbon atoms

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b The different alkanes in crude oil are separated into fractions by fractional distillation.
i Name the physical property that allows a mixture of alkanes to be separated by this method.

their boiling point

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ii Describe how the physical property named in part i changes in the alkane homologous series.
it increases as the number of Carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms increases.
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