Module 1 - Basic Concepts And Hydrocarbons

Question 0

Saturated hydrocarbon

Answer 0

A hydrocarbon with single bonds only

Question 1

Hydrocarbons

Answer 1

Organic compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen only.

Question 2

Unsaturated hydrocarbon

Answer 2

A hydrocarbon with single bonds only.

Question 3

Aliphatic hydrocarbon

Answer 3

An hydrocarbon with carbon atoms joined together in straight or branched chains.

Question 4

Alicyclic hydrocarbon

Answer 4

A hydrocarbon with carbon atoms joined together in a ring structure.

Question 5

Functional group

Answer 5

The part of the organic molecule responsible for its chemical reactions.

Question 6

Homologous series

Answer 6

A series of organic compounds with the same functional group but with each successes member differing by CH2.

Question 7

Alkanes

Answer 7

The homologous series with the general formula C(2)H(2n+2).

Question 8

Nomenclature

Answer 8

A system of naming compounds.

Question 9

Alkyl group

Answer 9

An alkane with a hydrogen atom removed, e.g. CH3, C2H5.

Question 10

General formula

Answer 10

The simplest algebraic formula of a member of a homologous series.

Question 11

Displayed formula

Answer 11

A formula that shows the relative positioning of all the atoms in a molecule and the bonds between them.

Question 12

Structural formula

Answer 12

Shows the minimal detail for the arrangement of atoms in the molecule.

Question 13

Skeletal formula

Answer 13

A simplified organic formula, with hydrogen atoms removed from alkyl chains, leaving just a carbon skeleton and associated functional groups.

Question 14

Structural isomers

Answer 14

Molecules with the same molecular formula but with different structural arrangement of atoms.

Question 15

Stereoisomers

Answer 15

Compounds with the same structural formula, but with a different arrangement of atoms in space.

Question 16

E/Z isomerism

Answer 16

A type of stereoisomerism in which different groups attached to each carbon of a C=C double bond may be arranged differently in space because of the restricted rotation around the C=C bond.

Question 17

Cis-trans isomerism

Answer 17

A special type of E/Z isomerism in which there is a non-hydrogen group and hydrogen on each C of a C=C double bond: the cis isomer (Z isomer) has the H atoms on each carbon on the same side; the trans isomer (E isomer) has the H atoms on each carbon on different sides.

Question 18

Homolytic fission

Answer 18

The breaking of a covalent bond, with one of the bonded electrons going to each atom, forming two radicals.

Question 19

Heterolytic fission

Answer 19

The breaking of a covalent bond with both of the bonded electrons going to one of the atoms, forming a cation and an anion.

Question 20

Nucleophile

Answer 20

An atom (or group of atoms) that is attracted to an electron-deficient centre of Aton, where it donates a pair of electrons to form a new covalent bond.

Question 21

Electrophile

Answer 21

An atom (or group of atoms) that is attracted to an electron-rich centre or atom, where it accepts a pair of electrons to form a new covalent bond.

Question 22

Addition reaction

Answer 22

A reaction in which a reactant is added to an unsaturated molecule to make a saturated molecule.

Question 23

Substitution reaction

Answer 23

A reaction in which an atom of group of atoms is replaced with a different atom or group of atoms.
2 reactants -> 2 products

Question 24

Elimination reaction

Answer 24

The removal of a molecule from a saturated molecule to make an unsaturated molecule.
1 reactant -> 2 products

Question 25

Fractional distillation

Answer 25

The separation of the components in a liquid mixture into fractions which differ in boiling point (and hence chemical composition) by means of distillation, typically using a fractionating column.

Question 26

Cracking

Answer 26

The breaking down of long-chained saturated hydrocarbons to form a mixture of shorter-chained alkanes and alkenes.

Question 27

Catalyst

Answer 27

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being used up in the process.

Question 28

Radical substitution

Answer 28

A type of substitution in which a radical replaces a different atom or group of atoms.

Question 29

Mechanism

Answer 29

A sequence of steps showing the path taken by electrons in a reaction.

Question 30

Initiation

Answer 30

The first step in a radical substitution in which the free radicals are generated by ultraviolet radiation.

Question 31

Termination

Answer 31

The step at the end of a radical substitution when two radicals combine to form a molecule.

Question 32

Pi-bond

Answer 32

The reactive part of a double bond formed above and below the plane of the bonded atoms by sideways overlap of p-orbitals.

Question 33

Electrophilic addition

Answer 33

Style of addition reaction in which an electrophile is attracted to an electrophile is attracted to an electron-rich centre or atom, where it accepts a pair of electrons to form a new covalent bond.

Question 34

Carbocation

Answer 34

An organic ion in which a carbon atom has a positive charge.

Question 35

Curley arrow

Answer 35

A symbol used in reaction mechanisms to show the movement of an electron pair in the breaking of formation of a covalent bond.

Question 36

Polymer

Answer 36

A long molecular chain built up from monomer units.

Question 37

Monomer

Answer 37

A small molecule that combines with many other monomers to form a polymer.

Question 38

Addition polymerisation

Answer 38

The process in which unsaturated alkene molecules (monomers) add on to s growing polymer chain one at a time, to form a very long saturated molecular chain (the addition polymer).

Question 39

Repeat unit

Answer 39

A specific arrangement of atoms that occurs in the structure of and over again.
Included in brackets, outside of which is the symbol n.