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Alkenes

Unsaturated hydrocarbons and the bromine water test

  • 3 things to know
  • Unit AS 2

Overview

Term unsaturated hydrocarbon, why alkenes are described as unsaturated hydrocarbons and qualitative test for an alkene using bromine water.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Define the term unsaturated hydrocarbon.

Key term

Describe the qualitative test for an alkene using bromine water.

Key term

Why does the orange colour of bromine water disappear when an alkene is added?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Define the term unsaturated hydrocarbon.

    Model answer

    An unsaturated hydrocarbon is a compound of carbon and hydrogen only that contains at least one carbon–carbon multiple bond, across which further atoms can be added.

  2. 2

    Explain why alkenes are described as unsaturated hydrocarbons.

    Model answer

    Every alkene contains a carbon–carbon double bond, so its molecules hold fewer than the maximum possible number of hydrogen atoms and can take up more by an addition reaction.

  3. 3

    Why can an alkene with one double bond never contain an odd number of hydrogen atoms?

    Model answer

    Its formula is CₙH₂ₙ, so the number of hydrogen atoms is always twice the number of carbon atoms and therefore always even.

  4. 4

    Give the molecular formula of the alkene with five carbon atoms and one double bond.

    Model answer

    Putting n = 5 into CₙH₂ₙ gives the molecular formula C₅H₁₀.

  5. 5

    Describe the qualitative test for an alkene using bromine water.

    Model answer

    A few drops of orange bromine water are shaken with the sample, and if a carbon–carbon double bond is present the orange colour disappears immediately to leave a colourless mixture.

  6. 6

    What is observed when bromine water is shaken with an alkane?

    Model answer

    There is no change and the mixture stays orange, because an alkane has no carbon–carbon double bond for the bromine to add across.

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