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Hydrocarbon Interconversions and Reaction Calculations

Chemistry Grade 10 Difficulty 4/5

Beginning of the lesson

Building a hydrocarbon reaction map

Hydrocarbon families are connected by reactions that change saturation, chain length, or molecular arrangement. A reaction map should show a balanced equation, reaction type, essential conditions in general terms, and the carbon skeleton before and after the change.

  • Hydrogenation: adds H2 across a multiple bond, for example C2H4 + H2 → C2H6.
  • Dehydrogenation: removes H2, for example C2H6 → C2H4 + H2.
  • Cracking: converts larger hydrocarbons into smaller molecules, commonly an alkane and an alkene; atoms must remain balanced.
  • Addition polymerization: joins many alkene molecules: nCH2=CH2 → (–CH2–CH2–)n.
  • Combustion: complete combustion gives CO2 and H2O; oxygen shortage can give CO and carbon.

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  • Test questions: 15
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