Chapter 21, Problem 49A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The name of three alkanes that are used as fuels and their additional applications needs to be described.

Concept introduction:

The hydrocarbon compounds contain compound that are made up of only hydrogen and carbon atoms. The hydrocarbon compounds that contains single bond(s) between carbon atom(s) are said to be saturated hydrocarbon whereas hydrocarbon compounds that contains multiple bond(s) between carbon atom(s) are said to be unsaturated hydrocarbon. Compounds containing single bonds are said to be alkane and compounds containing double bonds are said to be alkene whereas the compounds containing triple bonds are said be alkyne.

Explanation of Solution

Hydrocarbons make good wide variety of fuels and consumer goods as their covalent bonds store large amount of energy, on burning the molecule a large amount of energy is released.

Three alkanes that are used as fuels are:

• Methane, ${\text{CH}}_{\text{4}}$: It is commonly used for the production of hydrogen gas. It is used as a fuel for homes, water heaters, ovens and automobiles.
• Ethane, ${\text{C}}_2{\text{H}}_6$: It is used as a refrigerant in cryogenic refrigeration systems. It is commonly used for the production of ethylene, which is used to produce plastics, detergents etc.
• Propane, ${\text{C}}_3{\text{H}}_8$: It is used as a fuel for backup electrical generation, propellant for aerosol sprays. Propane is the primary fuel for hot air balloons.