An organic chemical contains the element carbon. There are many different homologous series of organic compounds. Single Award Science focuses on alkanes and alkenes.
Carbon can form four covalent bonds, giving rise to many carbon compounds. It is easier to study these compounds by grouping them together into a homologous series A family of organic compounds with the same general formula and in which each members differs by a CH2unit. They show a gradation in physical properties and have similar chemical properties..
In a homologous series.
they have the same general formula
their molecular formulae differ by CH2
they show a gradual variation in physical properties, such as their boiling points.
they have similar chemical properties.
For GCSE Single Award you will study 2 different homologous series:
the alkane Saturated hydrocarbon with the general formula CnH2n+2
the alkene Unsaturated hydrocarbon containing at least one C=C and with the general formula CnH2n
