Sunday, 22 May 2011

3.1 I can explain the terms homologous series, hydrocarbon, saturated, unsaturated, general formula and isomerism

Term
Definition
Example
Homologous series



Hydrocarbon
 A compound containing both HYDROGEN and CARBON

 any Alkane.. eg. METHANE
Saturated hydrocarbon
Alkanes, are chemical compounds that consist only of the elements carbon (C) and hydrogen (H)wherein these atoms are linked together exclusively by single bonds

 Propane
Unsaturated hydrocarbon
Unsaturated hydrocarbons are hydrocarbons that have double or triple covalent bonds between adjacent carbon atoms
 Ethine (INE)
General formula
 A formula used to calculate both the amount of CARBON and the amount of HYDROGEN


Cn H 2n+ 2
Isomerism
 Having the same molecular formula, but a different displayed formula (different structure)

 Pentane

Sunday, 15 May 2011

5.12 I can recall the problems associated with the fractional distillation of crude oil

When crude oil undergoes FRACTIONAL DISTILLATION there are too many LONG chain hydrocarbons (eg. BITUMEN) produced and not enough SHORT chain hydrocarbons (eg. PETROL)

To solve those problems the LONG chain hydrocarbons undergo a chemical reaction called CRACKING or also known as a THERMAL DECOMPOSITION REACTION





5.11 I can recall how nitrogen oxides are formed in car engines




a.       Write the general equation for the combustion of a fuel

fuel + oxygen --------> carbon dioxide + water + ENERGY

b.      During combustion the nitrogen in air can react to form what gases?

NO - Nitrogen Monoxide

NO2 - Nitrogen Dioxide

N2O- Laughing gas

(NOx)

c.       What condition is necessary for this reaction to take place?

Very high temperatures

d.      In what common object is this condition found?

In cars

e.      Why is this condition needed for nitrogen to react?

Nitrogen has a very strong bond (2 covalent bonds), almost impossible to separate

f.        What are the dangers of the products from this reaction?

When they dissolve into water, it produces a mixture called NITRIC ACID.. which when evaporated, and rains forms ACID RAIN

Friday, 13 May 2011

5.10 I can recall the problems associated with incomplete combustion





What are the properties of carbon monoxide?
Odorless, colourless ,toxic gas


 Explain how carbon monoxide is formed.. Carbon monoxide is formed when there is an inefficient amount of oxygen/ lack of oxygen and incomplete combustion takes place


  Explain why carbon monoxide is poisonous.. "Carbon monoxide binds very strongly to the iron atoms in hemoglobin, the principal oxygen-carrying compound in blood. The affinity between CO and hemoglobin is much stronger than the affinity between hemoglobin and oxygen. When CO binds to the hemoglobin it cannot be released nearly as readily as oxygen would be" therefore the blood oxygen will not get carried around the body and the body will eventually collapse at the lack of oxygen

Read more: http://www.edinformatics.com/interactive_molecules/carbon_monoxide.htm

5.9 I can describe the trend in boiling point and viscosity of the main fractions


a.       What is the trend in boiling point of the fractions?
The higher up the column you go, the lower the boiling point

b.      Define viscosity (source your definition)
The state of being thick, sticky, and semi fluid in consistency, due to internal friction  http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=define+viscosity&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

c.       What is the trend in viscosity of the fractions?
As you go up the column the viscosity increase.

d.      What is the trend in colour of the fractions?
The lower we go down the fractionating column the darker and thicker the color gets

e.      Why is crude oil separated into fractions?
Crude oil is of no use on its own.

f.        What process is used to separate crude oil into fractions?
They use the fractionating column

g.       What physical property allows this process to work?
The process used is heating, and the physical property are the different boiling points of the different fractions