AQA · Chemistry · 8462
GCSE Chemistry: Properties of hydrocarbons
Organic chemistry · AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462), specification point 4.7.1.3. Cards are generated from the exam board's own specification for "Properties of hydrocarbons", and every card links back to the page it came from. Specification © AQA — used with attribution.
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How does the boiling point of a hydrocarbon change as molecular size increases?
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It increases — larger molecules have stronger intermolecular forces, so more energy is needed to separate them.
How does the viscosity of a hydrocarbon change as molecular size increases?
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It increases — larger hydrocarbons are thicker and flow less easily.
How does the flammability of a hydrocarbon change as molecular size increases?
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It decreases — smaller hydrocarbons ignite more easily than larger ones.
Name the two products of the complete combustion of a hydrocarbon.
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Carbon dioxide and water.
During the combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel, the carbon and hydrogen are ?.
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oxidised
Is the combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel exothermic or endothermic?
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Exothermic — combustion releases energy to the surroundings.
Write the balanced equation for the complete combustion of methane (CH₄).
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CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O
Write the balanced equation for the complete combustion of propane (C₃H₈).
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C₃H₈ + 5O₂ → 3CO₂ + 4H₂O
Why do the physical properties of hydrocarbons affect their use as fuels?
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Boiling point, viscosity and flammability depend on molecular size, so they determine how easily a hydrocarbon vaporises, flows and ignites.
Hydrocarbons with smaller molecules are ? flammable than those with larger molecules.
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