Hydrocarbons
I can describe alkanes and represent the first four by name, molecular formulae and displayed formulae.
Hydrocarbons
I can describe alkanes and represent the first four by name, molecular formulae and displayed formulae.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Hydrocarbons are simple covalent compounds made of hydrogen and carbon atoms only.
- Hydrocarbons are found in crude oil, and are used as fuels and feedstock.
- Alkanes consist of chains, or rings, of carbon atoms that are each also bonded to hydrogen atoms.
- Alkanes are a homologous series of hydrocarbons, with the same general formula with a trend in properties.
- The general formula for an alkane is CnH2n+2.
Keywords
Hydrocarbon - Simple covalent compounds made of carbon and hydrogen atoms only.
Feedstock - Raw materials used in chemical processes to produce other substances.
Alkane - Saturated hydrocarbons (have only single bonds between carbon and hydrogen atoms).
Homologous series - Compounds that have the same general formula, with neighbouring molecules often differing by CH₂, showing similar chemical properties and physical property trends.
Nomenclature - A collection of rules for naming things (in chemistry it refers to the naming of chemical substances).
Common misconception
Students often think that the prefix hydro- in the term hydrocarbons means they contain water; also that hydrocarbons and crude oil are synonymous.
Use diagrams to show hydrocarbon composition and compare crude oil to pure hydrocarbons, highlighting the difference visually.
To help you plan your year 10 chemistry lesson on: Hydrocarbons, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 chemistry lesson on: Hydrocarbons, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 chemistry lessons from the Chemistry of carbon unit, dive into the full secondary chemistry curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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