Frequently Asked Questions
Carbon is a non-metal with atomic number 6, known for forming a huge variety of compounds due to its tetravalency and catenation ability.
The ability of carbon to form four covalent bonds because it has four electrons in its outermost shell (configuration: 2,4).
Catenation is the property of carbon to form long chains and rings by bonding with other carbon atoms.
Carbon achieves a stable configuration by sharing electrons instead of losing/gaining four electrons, thus forming covalent bonds.
A covalent bond is a bond formed when two atoms share electron pairs.
Compounds containing hydrogen and carbon only, such as methane, ethane, ethene, and ethyne.
Hydrocarbons with single covalent bonds (alkanes), general formula: \(C_nH_{2n+2}\).
Hydrocarbons with double or triple bonds (alkenes & alkynes), formulas: alkenes \(\Rightarrow C_nH_{2n}, alkynes \(Rightarrow C_nH_{2n-2}.
\(C_nH_{2n+2} (e.g., methane \(\ce{CH4}\), ethane \(\ce{C2H6}\)).
\(C_nH_{2n}\) (e.g., ethene \(\ce{C2H4\)).
\(C_nH_{2n-2} (e.g., ethyne \(\ce{C2H2\)).
Atoms or groups that determine the characteristic properties of organic compounds, e.g., –OH (alcohol), –COOH (acid).
Alcohol (–OH), Aldehyde (–CHO), Carboxylic acid (–COOH), Ketone (>C=O), Halogens (–X).
A series of compounds with the same functional group and general formula, differing by \(\ce{–CH2}\)– unit.
Compounds having the same molecular formula but different structural arrangement.