Organic ChemistryTopic Summary

Topic Summary: Alkenes

Part of AlkenesGCSE Chemistry

This topic summary covers Topic Summary: Alkenes within Alkenes for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Alkenes in Organic Chemistry for GCSE Chemistry with 20 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 14 of 14 in this topic. Use this topic summary to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 14 of 14

Practice

20 questions

Recall

15 flashcards

Topic Summary: Alkenes

Key Terms
  • Alkene — unsaturated hydrocarbon, CₙH₂ₙ
  • Unsaturated — contains C=C double bond
  • Addition reaction — atoms add across C=C
  • Decolourisation — bromine water turns colourless
First Four Alkenes
  • Ethene — C₂H₄
  • Propene — C₃H₆
  • Butene — C₄H₈
  • Pentene — C₅H₁₀
Addition Reactions
  • + H₂ → alkane (Ni catalyst, 150°C)
  • + Br₂ → dibromoalkane (test)
  • + H₂O → alcohol (H₃PO₄, 300°C, 70 atm)
Exam Checklist
  • CₙH₂ₙ formula (not CₙH₂ₙ₊₂)
  • Bromine water: say "decolourised"
  • Unsaturated = C=C double bond
  • Source of alkenes: cracking

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Alkenes. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Practice Questions for Alkenes

What is the general formula for alkenes?

  • A. CnH2n+2
  • B. CnH2n-2
  • C. CnH2n
  • D. CnH4
1 markfoundation

Explain what is meant by the term 'unsaturated' when applied to alkenes.

2 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

How are alkenes produced?
By cracking long-chain alkanes from crude oil
What are alkenes?
Unsaturated hydrocarbons containing a C=C double bond

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