GCSE Chemistry - What is a Hydrocarbon? What are Alkanes? Hydrocarbons and Alkanes Explained #51

The video tutorial introduces organic chemistry, focusing on hydrocarbons and alkanes. It explains the significance of carbon in forming large compounds and defines hydrocarbons as compounds made solely of carbon and hydrogen. The tutorial covers the first four alkanes: methane, ethane, propane, and butane, and introduces the concept of homologous series with a general formula for alkanes. It demonstrates how to calculate molecular formulas for alkanes using octane as an example. The video concludes by discussing saturated compounds and briefly introduces alkenes.

Explain the general formula for alkanes and how it is derived.

What distinguishes alkanes from alkenes?