Exemplar Problems

Problem 9 : Explain why alkanes are considered saturated hydrocarbons.

Solution :

Alkanes are considered saturated hydrocarbons because they contain only single covalent bonds between carbon atoms, and each carbon atom is bonded to the maximum number of hydrogen atoms (fully saturated with hydrogen). In contrast, alkenes and alkynes are considered unsaturated hydrocarbons because they contain double (alkenes) or triple (alkynes) covalent bonds between carbon atoms, resulting in fewer hydrogen atoms bonded to the carbons.