Final answer:
The options provided, which include alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and alcohols, are all examples of homologous series, as each series has compounds differing by a CH₂ unit between successive members. Option
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking which of the following is a homologous series: 1) Alkanes 2) Alkenes 3) Alkynes 4) Alcohols. A homologous series is a series of organic compounds where each compound differs from the next by a CH₂ unit or multiple of CH₂ units.
All the options listed - alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and alcohols - are indeed examples of homologous series. For instance, if we consider alkanes, which is one of the options, they follow a general formula CnH2n+2. As such, each successive member in the alkane series has one more carbon atom and two additional hydrogen atoms compared to the previous member. For example, going from methane (CH₄) to ethane (C₂H₆) involves adding a CH₂ unit.
Therefore, alkanes, along with alkenes, alkynes and alcohols, are considered homologous series because they meet the criteria of varying from one another by a CH₂ unit for each subsequent compound in the series.