What are hydrocarbons?
hydrocarbons are organic chemical compounds that consist exclusively of carbon and hydrogen and move from simple molecules such as methane, to polymers such as polystyrene, which consists of thousands of atoms. The ability of carbon atoms to combine each other strongly with it allows you to create almost unlimited diversity of chains, rings and other structures that form the spine of organic molecules. Because each atom can consist of four links, these spines include other elements such as hydrogen. The compounds are flammable because the two elements that contain are easily combined with oxygen in the air and release energy. Fossil fuels, such as oil and natural gas, naturally contain hydrocarbons; Coal also contains some, although it is usually just carbon.
The name of hydrocarbons monitors certain conventions, although in many cases the compounds can be better known under older names. In a modern system, the first part of the carbon atoms in the molecule is: in the upward sequence is the first eight beforePon Meth-, ETH-, Prop-, But-, Pent-, Hex-, Hexct- and Oct-. The compounds where the carbons are all associated with individual ties are known together as alkans and have names ending - ane. The first eight alkans are therefore methane, ethan, propane, butane, Pentan, hexane, heptan and octan.
carbon atoms can also form double or triple bonds. The molecules that have dual ties are known as alkenes and have names ending in –ene , while those with triple links are called alkynes and have names ending -yne . Molecules that only have individual bonds contain the maximum number of hydrogen atoms and are therefore described as saturated. Where double or triple bonds are, there are fewer hydrogen seats, so these compounds are described as unsaturated.
To be a simple example, Ethane has two carbons associated with a single link, atEach of them is able to connect to three hydrogen atoms, so its chemical formula is C 2 h 6 and it is an alkan. In the eten there is a double carbon binding, so it can only have four hydrogens, making it alken with a pattern C 2 h 4 . Ethyne has a triple binding and gives it a formula C 2 h 2 and makes it alkyn. This compound is better known as acetylene.
carbon atoms can also form rings. Alkany with rings have names from cycling-. Therefore, cyclohexane alkan with six carbon atoms connected by individual links to form a ring. It is also possible to ring with alternating individual and double bonds and is known as a benzene ring. The hydrocarbons containing a benzene ring are known as aromatic, because many of them are pleasantly smelling.
Some hydrocarbon molecules have chains of this branch. Butane that usually consists of a single chain can exist in a form where one atom isThe carbon is associated with two others and creates a branch. These alternative forms of molecules are known as isomers. The branched isomer butane is known as isobutan.
production
The most hydrocarbon production comes from fossil fuels: coal, oil and natural gas that are extracted from the ground of millions of tons per day. SUP oil is mostly a mixture of many different alkans and cyclolycans with some aromatic compounds. These can be separated from each other from oil refineries due to their different points of boiling. Another process used is known as "cracking": catalysts are used to divide some larger molecules into smaller molecules that are more useful as fuels.
properties
In general, the more complex the hydrocarbon, the higher its melting and boiling points. For example, simpler types such as methane, ethan and propane, with one, two and three carbons are gases. Many forms are liquids: examples are hexan and octan. Fixed forms include paraffin wax - a mixture of molecL with 20 and forty carbon atoms - and various polymers consisting of chains of thousands of atoms such as polyethylene.
The most remarkable chemical properties of hydrocarbons are their bondability and the ability to create polymers. Those that are gases or liquids will react with oxygen in the air, create carbon dioxide (what 2 ) and water and release energy in the form of light and heat. Some energy must be delivered to initiate the reaction, but as soon as it is started, it is self -sufficient: these compounds will burn as shown by the lighting of the gas board by the match or spark. Fixed forms will also burn, but less easily. In some cases, not the whole carbon creates what 2 ; Soot and smoke can be created by some types when burnoun is in the air and in the insufficient oxygen supply of any hydrocarbon can produce toxic, odorless, carbonide oxide (CO).
uses
Hunger hydrocarbons make them very useful as fuels and are the primary energy source PRO today's civilization. Most electricity is produced by burning these compounds and is used to drive virtually every mobile machine: cars, trucks, trains, aircraft and boats. They are also used in the production of many other chemicals and materials. For example, most plastics are hydrocarbon polymers. Other uses include solvents, lubricants and driving for aerosol cans.
Problems with fossil fuels
Thehydrocarbons have been a very successful source of fuel over the past two hundred years, but they increase to expand their use. Their combustion creates smoke and soot, which in some areas causes serious contamination problems. It also creates a large amount of what 2 . THERE is a widespread agreement between scientists that the increasing level of this gas in the atmosphere helps to capture heat, increases global temperatures and change of the Earth's climate.
In addition, fossil fuels will not last forever. Combustion fuel currently wouldOil could have occurred in less than a century and coal for several centuries. All of this has come to the challenges of developing renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy, and the construction of multiple nuclear power plants that produce emissions with zero company 2 . In 2007, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to former vice president Al Gore and the UN intergovernmental panel for climate change for their work in confirming and spreading the message that the burning of hydrocarbons is largely responsible for global warming.