Student Name: Tai Zi Jun Student Number: 18078 Class: S2HE

Topic: 2022 May-June IGCSE (Senior Two) Revision - 01 Alkenes

Date: 23-04-2022

2022 May-June IGCSE (Senior Two) Revision - 01 Alkenes (23-04-2022)

4. Alkenes are a homologous series of hydrocarbons.
(a). Alkenes are produced by cracking.
State the meaning of the term cracking.
Answer: Cracking is the reaction in which long-chain hydrocarbon molecules like alkanes are
broken down into shorter and more useful molecules, like alkenes.

(b). Margarine is manufactured from vegetable oils using a Nickel Catalyst (Ni).
(i). Name the other reactant used in this reaction.
Answer: Hydrogen (H2) is the other reactant in this hydrogenation reaction.
During hydrogenation, vegetable oils are reacted with Hydrogen Gas (H2) at about 60°C. A Nickel
Catalyst (Ni) is used to speed up the reaction. The double bonds are converted to single bonds in the
reaction. In this way, unsaturated fats can be made into saturated fats – they are hardened.

(ii). State the type of chemical reaction which occurs when margarine is manufactured from
vegetable oils.
Answer: The hydrogenation reaction is an addition reaction.

Hydrogen
(H2)

Unsaturated Vegetable Oil Saturated Vegetable Oil

(Alkene, C=C) (Alkane, C-C)

(c). Ethanol (C2H5OH) is produced by the reaction of Ethene (C2H4) with Steam (H2O).
Construct the equation for this reaction.
Answer: Chemical Equation: C2H4 (g) + H2O (g) ⇌ C2H5OH (l) [Addition Reaction]
Word Equation: Ethene + Steam ⇌ Alcohol [Addition Reaction]
*This reaction is reversible and exothermic. A high pressure of 60-70 atmospheres and a
compromise temperature of 570°C is used to give a decent rate and yield. In addition, a catalyst of
Phosphoric Acid (H3PO4) is also used to speed up the reaction.

(d). An organic compound contains 54.5% Carbon (C), 9.1% Hydrogen (H) and 36.4% Oxygen (O)
by mass. Calculate the empirical formula of this compound.
Answer: Given Mass of Carbon (C) = 54.5%  54.5g; Atomic Mass of Carbon (C) = 12g/mol
Moles of Carbon (C) = 54.5g ÷ 12g/mol = 4.5 moles ÷ 2.3 moles = 1.96 = 2 (nearest integer)
Given Mass of Hydrogen (H) = 9.1%  9.1g; Atomic Mass of Hydrogen (H) = 1g/mol
Moles of Hydrogen (H) = 9.1g ÷ 1g/mol = 9.1 moles ÷ 2.3 moles = 3.96 = 4 (nearest integer)
Given Mass of Oxygen (O) = 36.4%  36.4g; Atomic Mass of Oxygen (O) = 16g/mol
Moles of Oxygen (O) = 36.4g ÷ 16g/mol = 2.3 moles ÷ 2.3 moles = 1
By summarizing the total amounts of atoms in each element, we will obtain the empirical formula
of this organic compound as: C2H4O.