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2 Dec 2025

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Understanding Alkanes in Organic Chemistry

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faiaz @1kfaiaz

Alkanes are the simplest hydrocarbons, containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms joined by single covalent bonds. Understanding their... Show more

ALKANES
All bonds are single covalent (sigma
bonds in alkanes
ORBITAL OVERLAP MODEL:
Covalent bonds can form between 2
atoms if they're arra

Alkanes Structure, Properties and Reactions

Ever wondered why petrol burns so well but doesn't dissolve in water? It's all about alkane structure and bonding. Alkanes contain only single covalent bonds (called sigma bonds), which form when atomic orbitals overlap directly between atoms.

These sigma bonds are incredibly strong because there's high electron density between the bonded nuclei, creating powerful electrostatic attraction. The atoms arrange themselves in a tetrahedral shape with bond angles of 109.5° around each carbon atom. This makes alkanes quite unreactive since the bonds are difficult to break and non-polar.

Boiling points increase as chain length grows because stronger intermolecular forces (IDD forces) develop between longer molecules. Branched alkanes have lower boiling points than straight-chain ones since they have fewer contact points for intermolecular forces to act.

Alkanes make excellent fuels through combustion reactions with oxygen. Complete combustion produces CO₂ and H₂O, whilst incomplete combustion (limited oxygen) creates dangerous carbon monoxide and soot. Smaller alkanes burn more easily because they're more volatile.

Key Point Alkanes undergo free radical substitution with halogens under UV light or high temperatures (300°C), replacing hydrogen atoms with halogen atoms through initiation, propagation, and termination steps.

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Chemistry

264

2 Dec 2025

1 page

Understanding Alkanes in Organic Chemistry

user profile picture

faiaz

@1kfaiaz

Alkanes are the simplest hydrocarbons, containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms joined by single covalent bonds. Understanding their structure, properties, and reactions is crucial for A-level chemistry success.

ALKANES
All bonds are single covalent (sigma
bonds in alkanes
ORBITAL OVERLAP MODEL:
Covalent bonds can form between 2
atoms if they're arra

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Alkanes: Structure, Properties and Reactions

Ever wondered why petrol burns so well but doesn't dissolve in water? It's all about alkane structure and bonding. Alkanes contain only single covalent bonds (called sigma bonds), which form when atomic orbitals overlap directly between atoms.

These sigma bonds are incredibly strong because there's high electron density between the bonded nuclei, creating powerful electrostatic attraction. The atoms arrange themselves in a tetrahedral shape with bond angles of 109.5° around each carbon atom. This makes alkanes quite unreactive since the bonds are difficult to break and non-polar.

Boiling points increase as chain length grows because stronger intermolecular forces (IDD forces) develop between longer molecules. Branched alkanes have lower boiling points than straight-chain ones since they have fewer contact points for intermolecular forces to act.

Alkanes make excellent fuels through combustion reactions with oxygen. Complete combustion produces CO₂ and H₂O, whilst incomplete combustion (limited oxygen) creates dangerous carbon monoxide and soot. Smaller alkanes burn more easily because they're more volatile.

Key Point: Alkanes undergo free radical substitution with halogens under UV light or high temperatures (300°C), replacing hydrogen atoms with halogen atoms through initiation, propagation, and termination steps.

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Most popular content: Hydrocarbons

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4.9/5

App Store

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Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

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Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user