Hydrocarbons

CHEMISTRY SSS1 Third Term

WEEK 8

Hydrocarbons

Performance Objectives                       

the student should be able to:

1. Explain the structure and valence of carbon.
2. Define homologous series and state their characteristics
3. Define saturated hydrocarbons composition and their structures.

Content

Carbon and its valences

Carbon in its various forms has been known since ancient times in the form of soot, charcoal, graphite, and diamonds. Its name is derived from a Latin word “carbo” which means “charcoal”. Ancient cultures did not realize, of course, that these substances were different forms of the same element. Let us explore the versatile nature of carbon.

But what makes Carbon such an interesting element can be directly attributed to its two unique properties, i.e. tetra-valency and catenation. It is because of these…