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IB DP Chemistry Questions

20.2 Hydrocarbons

Question 1

Which of the following hydrocarbons is an alkane?

A. C2H4

B. C3H6

C. C4H10

D. C5H8

Question 2

Which hydrocarbon is used as the primary reference for octane rating in petrol?

A. Methane

B. Ethene

C. Iso-octane

D. Benzene

Question 3

Which of the following reactions is characteristic of alkenes?

A. Substitution

B. Addition

C. Elimination

D. Oxidation

Question 4

Which hydrocarbon is a major component of natural gas and is used as a fuel?

A. Ethyne

B. Methane

C. Butene

D. Phenol

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a product of the petrochemical industry?

A. Plastics

B. Detergents

C. Medicines

D. Bread

Question 6

a) Define hydrocarbons and classify them based on their structural differences. [2]

b) Explain the significance of hydrocarbons in the petrochemical industry. [3]

Question 7

a) Differentiate between saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, providing an example for each. [3]

b) Describe the general trend in boiling points of alkanes as the number of carbon atoms increases. [2]

Question 8

a) What is the primary reaction mechanism for alkenes in the presence of halogens? Provide an example. [3]

b) Explain the importance of hydrocarbons in the synthesis of other organic compounds. [2]

Question 9

a) Describe the process of cracking in the petrochemical industry. [2]

b) Why is cracking considered essential for meeting the demands of certain hydrocarbon products? [3]

c) Provide an example of a hydrocarbon that can be obtained from the cracking process. [2]

Question 10

a) Define and differentiate between chain isomerism and functional group isomerism. [3]

b) Provide an example of a hydrocarbon that exhibits chain isomerism. [2]

c) Explain the significance of functional group isomerism in organic reactions. [3]

Question 11

Which type of hydrocarbon contains a triple bond?

A. Alkane

B. Alkene

C. Alkyne

D. Cycloalkane

Question 12

Which of the following hydrocarbons is unsaturated?

A. C3H8

B. C2H6

C. C2H4

D. C4H10

Question 13

In the petrochemical industry, which process is used to break down large hydrocarbons into smaller ones?

A. Polymerisation

B. Fermentation

C. Cracking

D. Hydrolysis

Question 14

Which of the following is a primary use of hydrocarbons in the synthesis of other organic compounds?

A. As a solvent

B. As a fuel

C. As a monomer

D. As a catalyst

Question 15

Which hydrocarbon derivative is commonly used as a refrigerant and propellant in aerosol sprays?

A. Aldehyde

B. Alcohol

C. Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)

D. Ester

Question 16

a) What is geometric (cis-trans) isomerism? [3]

b) Describe the conditions required for a molecule to exhibit geometric isomerism. [2]

c) Explain the importance of geometric isomerism in drug design. [3]

Question 17

a) Define optical isomerism and explain the concept of a chiral centre. [3]

b) How does optical isomerism affect the biological activity of molecules? [3]

c) Provide an example of a drug where its optical isomers have different effects on the human body. [2]

Question 18

a) Define the term "hydrocarbon". [2]

b) Differentiate between saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons, providing an example for each. [3]

c) Describe the general trend in boiling points of alkanes as the chain length increases. [3]

d) Explain why unsaturated hydrocarbons are more reactive than their saturated counterparts. [4]

Question 19

a) What is the significance of hydrocarbons in the petrochemical industry? [3]

b) Describe the process of fractional distillation and its importance in separating hydrocarbons. [4]

c) Explain the term "aromatic hydrocarbon" and provide an example. [3]

d) Why are aromatic hydrocarbons relatively stable compared to other unsaturated hydrocarbons? [4]

Question 20

a) Define the term "alkyne" and provide an example. [2]

b) Describe the characteristic reactions of alkynes. [4]

c) How do the physical properties of alkynes differ from those of alkenes and alkanes? [3]

d) Explain the significance of alkynes in the synthesis of other organic compounds. [4]

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