Lesson 2 of 6 · Organic Chem
Experiment⭐ 30 XPAlkanes
Organic Chem.
🎯 Your mission
Run the experiment. Find out what really happens.
⚡ The twist
Nature loves to surprise the careful watcher.
Mind = Blown
🔬 The more you look, the more nature shows you.
Make a hypothesis first
Before you start: write down what you think will happen, and why.
What You'll Learn
Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons with only single carbon-carbon bonds, formula CₙH₂ₙ₊₂. Methane, ethane, propane and butane are the first four. They are relatively unreactive but burn well, which is what makes them fuels.
Key Words
Tap a word to see its definition.
Materials Needed
- molecular model kit
- paper
- pens
Safety First
- Model kit parts are small — keep away from young children.
Steps
Read the explanation above and note the two key terms before you start.
Build the first four alkanes with a model kit and write each molecular and displayed formula. Verify the CₙH₂ₙ₊₂ rule for each, then predict and build the formula for hexane.
Record what actually happened, including anything that did not match what you expected.
Write a conclusion that answers the question this lesson opened with, and state your uncertainty.
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 2The general formula for alkanes is:
Where you see this in real life
This shows up in your everyday life more than you'd think.
Stretch Challenge
Try this in real life this week.
Try one experiment in real life this week — even a tiny one.
For the dinner table
“What's the most surprising thing you learned today?”
Next Smart Experiment
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Send it to a parent who's looking for a 10-minute kitchen science win.
Ready?
Alkanes
Run the experiment. Find out what really happens.
Full screen — no distractions
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