2.4.1 Carbon Chemistry and Isomers

Question 1

organic chemistry

Answer 1

• the chemistry of carbon-containing molecules.

Question 2

carbon

Answer 2

• has four valence electrons that enable it to make four covalent bonds.
• Because of carbon’s ability to form four covalent bonds, carbon can form a diversity of molecules including long branching chains, rings, and multiple bonds.

Question 3

structural isomers

Answer 3

• are molecules that have the same formula, but whose atoms are arranged differently.

Question 4

geometric isomers

Answer 4

• molecules that have the same formula, but have atoms arranged differently about a double bond.

Question 5

enantionmers

Answer 5

• isomers that are mirror images of each other and are not superimposable.

Question 6

Structural (constitutional) isomers differ in __________, while enantiomers differ in __________.

Answer 6

• the order in which the atoms are bonded; the way in which the atoms are arranged in 3-D space.

Question 7

Each carbon atom can share a pair of electrons with as many as __________ other atoms.

Answer 7

• 4

Question 8

Carbon is able to form so many different chemical compounds because

Answer 8

• its valence shell has four unpaired electrons

Question 9

All organic compounds contain

Answer 9

• carbon

Question 10

Isomers are

Answer 10

• molecules with identical formulas but different structures

Question 11

Carbon is well suited to be the backbone of organic compounds because of which of the following characteristics?

Answer 11

• It can form four covalent bonds with many different types of atoms