Naming Alkanes Worksheet 1 Answers
The Basics of Naming Alkanes
Alkanes are the simplest type of hydrocarbon molecule. They consist of carbon and hydrogen atoms only and form the basis for all petroleum products. Naming alkanes is an important part of understanding their structure and properties. The simplest alkane is methane, which consists of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms. As the number of carbon atoms in the molecule increases, so does the complexity of the molecule and the complexity of the name.
In naming alkanes, the first step is to determine the longest continuous chain of carbon atoms. This is the parent chain, and it will determine the root of the name. The parent chain is numbered so that the carbon atoms at the end of the chain have the lowest possible numbers. Once the parent chain is determined, the substituents (other functional groups that are attached to the parent chain) are named and numbered.
Naming Alkanes Worksheet 1 Answers
1. CH4 – Methane
Methane is the simplest alkane, consisting of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms.
2. C2H6 – Ethane
Ethane is the second simplest alkane, consisting of two carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms.
3. C3H8 – Propane
Propane is the third simplest alkane, consisting of three carbon atoms and eight hydrogen atoms.
4. C4H10 – Butane
Butane is the fourth simplest alkane, consisting of four carbon atoms and ten hydrogen atoms.
5. C5H12 – Pentane
Pentane is the fifth simplest alkane, consisting of five carbon atoms and twelve hydrogen atoms.
