http://www.ck12.org Chapter 3. Chemical Interactions
3.32 Hydrocarbons
- Define hydrocarbon.
- Identify the two classes of hydrocarbons.
- Describe uses and sources of hydrocarbons.
Look at all of the pictures above. Each one shows an item that you might have used or seen used by someone else.
All of the items have something in common. Can you guess what it is? They all involve carbon compounds known
as hydrocarbons.
What Are Hydrocarbons?
Hydrocarbonsare compounds that contain only carbon and hydrogen. Hydrocarbons are the simplest type of
carbon-based compounds, but they can vary greatly in size. The smallest hydrocarbons have just one or two carbon
atoms. The largest hydrocarbons may have thousands of carbon atoms.
Q:How are hydrocarbons involved in each of the photos pictured above?
A:The main ingredient of mothballs is the hydrocarbon naphthalene. The main ingredient in nail polish remover is
the hydrocarbon acetone. The lawn mower runs on a mixture of hydrocarbons called gasoline, and the camp stove
burns a hydrocarbon fuel named isobutane.
Properties of Hydrocarbons
The size of hydrocarbon molecules influences their properties, including their melting and boiling points. As a result,
some hydrocarbons are gases at room temperature, while others are liquids or solids. Hydrocarbons are generally