Question

Write few physical properties of alkane.

Answer 1

Alkanes are hydrocarbons containing Carbon and Hydrogen. These compounds are made up of carbon-carbon single bond and have the general formula ($C_n{H}_{2n+2}$). Some examples include methane and ethane among others.

The general physical properties of alkanes are:

1. Alkanes are generally odorless and colorless gases or liquids having weak Van der Waals forces of attraction.
2. They are generally non-polar molecules insoluble or sparingly soluble in water but are soluble in organic solvents.
3. They have a lower density than water and generally float in it.
4. Shorter chain alkanes have low melting and boiling points but as the compounds increases in length, the melting and boiling points rise.