Organic ChemistryDiagram

Alkane Structures — First Four Members

Part of AlkanesGCSE Chemistry

This diagram covers Alkane Structures — First Four Members within Alkanes for GCSE Chemistry. Topic 38: Alkanes It is section 2 of 12 in this topic. Focus on the labels, the relationships between parts, and the explanation that turns the diagram into an exam-ready answer.

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Section 2 of 12

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📐 Alkane Structures — First Four Members

Structural formulas of first four alkanes: methane, ethane, propane and butane showing single C-C bonds only

Figure 1: The first four alkanes. Each carbon forms 4 bonds (single bonds only) — either to other carbons or to hydrogens. This "saturated" structure makes alkanes relatively unreactive.

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Practice Questions for Alkanes

What is the general formula for the alkane homologous series?

  • A. CₙH₂ₙ
  • B. CₙH₂ₙ₋₂
  • C. CₙHₙ
  • D. CₙH₂ₙ₊₂
1 markfoundation

Explain why the boiling point of alkanes increases as the chain length increases.

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