2. Properties of Hydro Carbons

Question 1

Hydro Carbons are:

Answer 1

Methane

Ethane

Propane

Butane

Question 2

There are 3 properties of Hydro Carbons

Answer 2

The 3 properties of Hydro Carbons

1. VISCOSITY - that is that thickness of a fluid - high (thickness) viscosity = flow slowly As the SIZE of the HYDRO CARBONS increase the THICKER the VISCOSITY
2. FLAMMABILITY - that is how easily they combust (burn)
3. BOILING POINT - that is the temperature that LIQUID TURNS TO GAS (short chain hydro carbons have LOW BOILING POINTS) as the hydro carbons increase so does the BOILING POINT
   (Very long chains have very long boiling points)

Question 3

How fast do long chains of hydro carbons flow?

Answer 3

Long chain hydro carbons flow - VERY SLOWLY so they are EXTREMELY VISCOSE

Question 4

How easily do short chain hydro carbons burn?

Answer 4

SHORT CHAIN hydro carbons burn - they are EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE - ie set alight very easily eg methane is the gas used in Bunsen burners

The bigger the hydro carbons get the SLOWER they BURN

LONG CHAIN HYDRO CARBONS are difficult to burn

Question 5

Carbon atoms can make how many atoms?

Answer 5

Carbon atoms can make 4 bonds each

Question 6

Hydrogen atoms can make how many bonds?

Answer 6

Hydrogen atoms can make 1 BOND

Question 7

What is CRACKING?

Answer 7

Cracking is the BREAKING DOWN of LONGER-CHAIN HYDROCARBONS into SMALLER more useful hydrocarbons

Question 8

There are 2 methods of CRACKING

Answer 8

The 2 methods of CRACKING are:

• STEAM CRACKING - hydrocarbons are mixed with STEAM & heated to 850 degrees C
• CATALYTIC CRACKING - hydrocarbons are headed until they VAPORISED … the vapor is passed over hot aluminium oxide hen thermal decomposition takes place