Introduction to Hydrocarbons

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Organic Compound Noun

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[or-gan-ik kom-pound]

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Organic Compound

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A carbon-containing compound, with primary exceptions being carbon oxides, carbides, and carbonates, which are considered inorganic compounds.

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Example: This image shows a methane molecule (CH₄), a simple organic compound where one carbon atom is bonded to four hydrogen atoms.

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Vitalism Noun

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[vy-tuh-liz-uhm]

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Vitalism

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The discredited theory that living organisms possess a mysterious 'vital force' enabling them to assemble unique carbon compounds.

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Example: This image shows a vial of a synthesized chemical, representing how scientists first created an 'organic' compound (urea) in a lab, disproving the idea of Vitalism.

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Organic Chemistry Noun

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[or-gan-ik kem-uh-stree]

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Organic Chemistry

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The specific branch of chemistry that is devoted entirely to the comprehensive study of carbon-containing organic compounds.

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Example: This image shows the basic structures of hydrocarbons like methane, ethane, and propane, which are simple organic compounds made of only carbon and hydrogen atoms.

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Hydrocarbon Noun

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[hy-droh-kar-buhn]

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Hydrocarbon

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The simplest type of organic compound, which is composed of only the elements carbon and hydrogen bonded together.

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Example: This diagram shows methane, the simplest hydrocarbon, which is a molecule made of one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms.

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Methane Noun

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[meth-eyn]

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Methane

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The simplest hydrocarbon molecule, with the chemical formula CH₄, which is the primary component of natural gas fuel.

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Example: This image shows that methane (CH₄), the simplest hydrocarbon, is a gas produced by biological sources like cows through their digestive processes.

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Saturated Hydrocarbon Noun

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[sach-uh-rey-tid hy-droh-kar-buhn]

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Saturated Hydrocarbon

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A type of hydrocarbon that contains only single covalent bonds between all of its constituent carbon atoms.

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Example: This diagram shows the structure of ethane, a saturated hydrocarbon. All carbon atoms are connected by single bonds, and they are 'saturated' with hydrogen atoms.

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Unsaturated Hydrocarbon Noun

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[uhn-sach-uh-rey-tid hy-droh-kar-buhn]

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Unsaturated Hydrocarbon

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A type of hydrocarbon that has at least one double or triple covalent bond between two carbon atoms.

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Example: This diagram shows the structure of ethylene, an unsaturated hydrocarbon, which contains a double bond between its two carbon atoms.

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Petroleum Noun

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[puh-troh-lee-uhm]

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Petroleum

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A fossil fuel, also called crude oil, formed from ancient microorganisms and containing a complex mixture of hydrocarbons.

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Example: This diagram shows how petroleum (oil) is found trapped underground in rock layers and is extracted from a reservoir using a pumpjack.

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Fractional Distillation Noun

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[frak-shuh-nl dis-tl-ey-shuhn]

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Fractional Distillation

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A process used to separate petroleum into simpler components by boiling it and collecting fractions as they condense.

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Example: Crude oil is heated and enters a tall column, where it separates into different useful liquids and gases (fractions) at different temperatures.

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Cracking Noun

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[krak-ing]

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Cracking

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A process where heavy petroleum fractions are converted to gasoline by breaking their large molecules into smaller ones.

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Example: This diagram shows fractional distillation, where crude oil is heated and separated into different products like gasoline and diesel at different temperatures in a column.