Distinguishing Between Alkanes and Alkenes Aim: To investigate a way of distinguishing between an alkane and an alkene.
Method: Collect apparatus Using separate dropper for each, put 10 drops of each hydrocarbon separate test tubes Stopper each test tube Note what happens
Results: Name of Hydrocarbon Effect on bromine water Hexane Hexene Doesn’t decolourise bromine water Does decolourise bromine water Conclusion: Bromine water can be used to distinguish between an alkane and an alkene. This is because an alkene decolourises bromine water but an alkane doesn’t.
Hexane with bromine water No effect on bromine water Hexene with bromine water Alkenes decolourise bromine water
Unsaturated An unsaturated molecule contains at least one carbon to carbon double bond. Saturated A saturated molecule contains carbon to carbon single bonds only.