This question is about some of the hydrocarbons found in crude oil.
The table below shows information about four hydrocarbons found in crude oil.
| Hydrocarbon | Molecular formula | Boiling point (∘C^\circ\text{C}∘C) |
|---|---|---|
| Methane | CH4\text{C}\text{H}_4CH4 | −162-162−162 |
| Pentane | C5H12\text{C}_5\text{H}_{12}C5H12 | 363636 |
| Nonane | C9H20\text{C}_9\text{H}_{20}C9H20 | |
| Tridecane | C13H28\text{C}_{13}\text{H}_{28}C13H28 | 235235235 |
Pentane is a hydrocarbon. What is meant by a hydrocarbon?
Look at the displayed formula for pentane:
Pentane is a saturated compound. What is meant by a saturated compound?
Use the information in the table to predict the boiling point of nonane.
Explain why a mixture of pentane, nonane, and tridecane can be separated by fractional distillation. In your answer, use information from the table and ideas about intermolecular forces.
Nonane is one of the hydrocarbons found in diesel fuel. Nonane burns completely in a plentiful supply of oxygen. Complete the balanced symbol equation by putting numbers on the lines: C9H20+…O2→…CO2+…H2O\text{C}_{9}\text{H}_{20} + \dots \text{O}_2 \rightarrow \dots \text{CO}_2 + \dots \text{H}_2\text{O}C9H20+…O2→…CO2+…H2O
Incomplete combustion of nonane makes carbon monoxide instead of carbon dioxide. Describe and explain one problem caused by carbon monoxide.