Section 3: Organic Chemistry a) Introduction 3.1 Explain the terms homologous series, hydrocarbon, saturated, unsaturated, general formula and isomerism Homologous series: a group of compounds that can all be represented by the same general formula The members of a homologous series have similar chemical properties and have trends in physical properties (eg as the chain length increases, the boiling point increases) Hydrocarbon: a molecule made up of only carbon and hydrogen atoms Saturated: all possible bonds that could be formed in the molecule, are already formed Unsaturated : more bonds can be made in the molecule General formula: can be used to work out the molecular formula of any compound in the homologous series Isomerism: when molecules have an identical molecular formula but different structural formulae b) Alkanes 3.2 recall that alkanes have the general formula C n H 2n+2 General formula of alkanes is C n H 2n+2 Alkanes are s...
All of the notes on this page are for the Edexcel Chemistry iGCSE, A* - G course. Some of the topics are only relevant if you are taking the triple science course, but I'll make these clear.