Question

Select the descriptions of the ways hydrocarbon skeleton structures may vary.

Answer 1

Hydrocarbon skeleton structures can vary as linear or branched chains, form rings, and contain single, double, or triple bonds. These variations result in different types of hydrocarbons like alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes, which can lead to structural and geometric isomers with distinct physical properties and reactions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The hydrocarbon skeleton structures may vary in several ways. They can form linear carbon chains or carbon rings, and they can be branched or unbranched. Additionally, the carbon-to-carbon bonds in hydrocarbons can be single, double, or triple covalent bonds, which significantly affects the molecule's geometry. For example, a single bond allows for rotation along the bond axis, whereas a double bond results in a planar shape, and a triple bond gives a linear shape. This structural variety leads to different types of hydrocarbons, such as alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes. Take the hydrocarbons with the formula C4H10; they can exist as two different structures: n-butane, which is a straight chain, and 2-methylpropane, also known as isobutane, which is branched. These are examples of structural isomers, where the connectivity of atoms differs in molecules with the same molecular formula.

Furthermore, structural variations can lead to different empirical formulas for hydrocarbons. Alkenes and alkynes have fewer bonded hydrogen atoms than alkanes due to the presence of double or triple bonds. These unsaturated hydrocarbons (which include alkenes and alkynes) react differently from saturated hydrocarbons (alkanes), showing unique characteristics in terms of reactivity, such as addition reactions for alkenes and alkynes, and substitution reactions for alkanes.

Answer 2

Given the following choices

A. position of the carbon-carbon double bonds

B. presence of enclosed carbon atom rings

C. branching of the carbon chain

D. length of the carbon chain

The answers are; B, C & D. Carbon is a versatile atom (with a valence of +4) and is able to bond with other elements and other carbon atoms in different ways. It can form linear and branching chains of varying lengths. It can form double and single bonds with elements and form rings such as the deoxyribose sugars.