Alkanes: Structure, Nomenclature and Physical Properties: 17 MCQs

All 17 multiple-choice questions from this kit, free and with no sign-up.

Full kit · everything Flashcards · 31 Quick Revision · 15

Warm-up · 7 questions

Q1. Which of the following best describes alkanes?

Beginner

A Compounds containing triple bonds

B Unsaturated hydrocarbons with double bonds

C Saturated hydrocarbons with only single bonds

D Compounds with both double and triple bonds

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Q2. The general formula of alkanes is:

Beginner

A $C_nH_{2n+2}$

B $C_nH_n$

C $C_nH_{2n-2}$

D $C_nH_{2n}$

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Q3. The hybridisation of carbon in alkanes is:

Beginner

A $sp^3$

B $sp^3d$

C $sp^2$

D $sp$

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Q4. Which suffix indicates a carbon–carbon single bond?

Beginner

A -ane

B -ol

C -ene

D -yne

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Q5. The root word for a chain of 6 carbon atoms is:

Beginner

A Hept

B Hex

C Pent

D Oct

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Q6. Which of the following alkanes is a gas at room temperature?

Beginner

A Pentane ($C_5H_{12}$)

B Butane ($C_4H_{10}$)

C Octane ($C_8H_{18}$)

D Hexane ($C_6H_{14}$)

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Q7. Alkanes are called paraffins (Latin: parum = little, affinis = affinity) because of their very low chemical reactivity.

Beginner

A True

B False

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Building up · 5 questions

Q8. Alkanes are called paraffins because:

Intermediate

A They contain double bonds

B They have very little chemical affinity

C They dissolve readily in water

D They are highly reactive with acids

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Q9. In the IUPAC name 2,3,5-trimethylhexane, what does 'hex' indicate?

Intermediate

A Six hydrogen atoms

B Six methyl groups

C Six total substituents

D Six carbon atoms in the parent chain

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Q10. A branched alkane has methyl groups at positions 2, 3 and 5 when numbered from the left, and at 5, 4 and 2 from the right. Which numbering is correct?

Intermediate

A From the right, because the first locant is larger

B Either direction gives the same name

C From the right, because it starts at 5

D From the left, because the locant sum is lower

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Q11. Why are alkanes inert toward reagents like $KMnO_4$ and $HNO_3$?

Intermediate

A They contain double bonds that resist attack

B They contain triple bonds

C They are polar molecules

D They contain only strong sigma bonds with no loosely held electrons

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Q12. Which statement about the physical properties of alkanes is correct?

Intermediate

A They are heavier than water

B Solubility in water increases with carbon number

C Density decreases with carbon number

D Boiling point increases with carbon number

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Topper level · 5 questions

Q13. Why does a straight-chain alkane have a higher boiling point than its branched isomer?

Advanced

A Branched isomers have higher molecular mass

B Straight chains are more polar

C Greater surface contact gives stronger London dispersion forces

D Branched isomers have more hydrogen bonds

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Q14. Why do even-carbon alkanes have higher melting points than their odd-carbon neighbours?

Advanced

A They have more branches in the chain

B They pack more symmetrically, allowing greater intermolecular attraction

C They are more polar than odd-carbon alkanes

D They have stronger covalent bonds

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Q15. Assertion (A): Alkanes are called saturated hydrocarbons. Reason (R): They contain only carbon–carbon single bonds and C–H single bonds.

Advanced

A A is true but R is false

B A is false but R is true

C Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A

D Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A

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Q16. A student names a compound '5,4,2-trimethylhexane'. What is the correct IUPAC name?

Advanced

A 3,4,5-trimethylhexane

B 2,3,5-trimethylhexane

C 2,4,5-trimethylhexane

D 2,3,4-trimethylhexane

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Q17. A branched alkane has the following substituents: a methyl group at position 2 and another methyl group at position 3 when numbered from the left, and a methyl group at position 4 when numbered from the right. What is the correct IUPAC name for this compound?

Advanced

A 4-methylpentane

B 2-methylpentane

C 2,3-dimethylbutane

D 3,4-dimethylbutane

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