Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons that can be obtained from crude oil. The general formula of the homologous series of alkanes is CnH2n+2\text{C}_n\text{H}_{2n+2}CnH2n+2.
What is the meaning of the term saturated?
What is the meaning of the term hydrocarbons?
Octane is an alkane with eight carbon atoms in its molecule. What is the molecular formula of octane?
Octane (C8H18\text{C}_8\text{H}_{18}C8H18) is an alkane that is a major component of petrol. When octane burns completely in oxygen it forms carbon dioxide and water. Write a chemical equation for the complete combustion of octane.
Give the name of a toxic gas that may be produced by the incomplete combustion of octane.
Tetradecane (C14H30\text{C}_{14}\text{H}_{30}C14H30) is another alkane. When heated and passed over a suitable catalyst, it decomposes to form octane and one other hydrocarbon. State how a catalyst increases the rate of this decomposition.
Give the name of a suitable catalyst for this process.
Complete the equation that represents the reaction:
C14H30→C8H18+2 _________ \text{C}_{14}\text{H}_{30} \rightarrow \text{C}_8\text{H}_{18} + 2 \text{ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_} C14H30→C8H18+2 _________Name the other hydrocarbon produced in this reaction.
