Hydrocarbons Notes (Alkanes + Alkenes)
Complete IGCSE/O-Level Chemistry 5070 & 0620 Master Guide for 2026 Exams
Hydrocarbons form the foundation of organic chemistry in your IGCSE/O-Level syllabus. Yet, 68% of students lose marks on hydrocarbon questions due to confusion between alkanes and alkenes, incomplete notes, and reliance on scattered YouTube tutorials that aren't aligned with the 2026 syllabus requirements.
⏳ Stop Wasting Time on Incomplete Resources!
Master ALL Organic Chemistry from Alkanes to Polymers in our structured, exam-focused crash course. No ads, no distractions, just syllabus-perfect content.
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What Are Hydrocarbons? The Core Concept
Need a Study Motivation Boost?
Alkanes: The Saturated Hydrocarbons
Alkanes are the simplest hydrocarbons with single bonds only. They follow the general formula: CnH2n+2.
Key Properties & Reactions of Alkanes
- Saturated: Contain only C-C and C-H single bonds.
- General Formula: CnH2n+2 (memorize this!)
- Combustion: Burn in excess oxygen to form CO₂ and H₂O.
- Substitution Reactions: With halogens (Cl₂, Br₂) in UV light.
- Cracking: Breaks long alkanes into shorter alkanes + alkenes.
CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O (Complete combustion)
Substitution Example:
CH₄ + Cl₂ → CH₃Cl + HCl (UV light required)
Alkenes: The Unsaturated Hydrocarbons
Alkenes contain at least one carbon-carbon double bond (C=C). General formula: CnH2n.
Key Properties & Reactions of Alkenes
- Unsaturated: Contain C=C double bonds.
- General Formula: CnH2n
- Addition Reactions: With H₂, halogens, water, hydrogen halides.
- Polymerization: Form polymers like poly(ethene).
- Test for Unsaturation: Decolorizes bromine water (orange → colorless).
C₂H₄ + Br₂ → C₂H₄Br₂ (1,2-dibromoethane)
Hydration (adding water):
C₂H₄ + H₂O → C₂H₅OH (ethanol, with catalyst)
Alkanes vs Alkenes: The Critical Comparison
| Property | Alkanes | Alkenes |
|---|---|---|
| Bond Type | Single bonds only (saturated) | Contains C=C double bonds (unsaturated) |
| General Formula | CnH2n+2 | CnH2n |
| Reactivity | Less reactive (substitution reactions) | More reactive (addition reactions) |
| Bromine Water Test | No change (stays orange) | Decolorizes (orange → colorless) |
| Polymerization | Do not polymerize | Undergo addition polymerization |
| Combustion | Clean flame (complete combustion) | Smoky flame (incomplete combustion) |
Learn from the Expert: Prof. Faisal Janjowa
With 15+ years of IGCSE/O-Level teaching experience, Prof. Janjowa's teaching method breaks down complex hydrocarbon concepts into simple, memorable patterns. His students consistently achieve A* grades by focusing on exam-focused strategies rather than rote memorization.
Why YouTube Fails You for Hydrocarbons (And What Works)
Searching for "hydrocarbons notes" or "alkanes vs alkenes" on YouTube yields 2.3M+ results. Here's why this approach fails:
- Not Syllabus-Aligned: Videos often cover irrelevant depth (like hydrocarbons neet notes or hydrocarbons jee notes) missing specific O-Level requirements.
- Incomplete Coverage: You need both theory AND exam application. Videos rarely provide past paper practice.
- Time Inefficient: Average student wastes 4.2 hours weekly searching for relevant content between ads and unrelated suggestions (like sydney thunder vs sydney sixers or the rip).
- No Structured Learning: Random videos don't follow a logical progression from basic to advanced concepts.
See Our Crash Course in Action
Your 3-Week Mastery Timeline for Hydrocarbons
- Week 1: Foundation. Master naming, formulas, and structures. Use our definitions list and Organic Chemistry Crash Course.
- Week 2: Reactions & Mechanisms. Learn all reactions with conditions and observations. Practice with our Organic Chemistry notes.
- Week 3: Exam Application. Solve past papers focusing on hydrocarbon questions. Use our 20 Mock Papers Course for targeted practice.
FAQs: Hydrocarbons (Alkanes & Alkenes)
What's the easiest way to distinguish alkanes from alkenes?
A: The bromine water test. Alkenes decolorize bromine water (orange → colorless) due to addition reactions, while alkanes do not. Also, check the general formula: CnH2n+2 = alkane, CnH2n = alkene.
Are hydrocarbons only important for Paper 2?
A: Absolutely not! Hydrocarbons appear in ALL papers: MCQ (Paper 1), structured (Paper 2), ATP (Paper 4/6). In 2025 exams, hydrocarbons contributed 18% of total marks across all papers.
Can I find enough practice questions for free?
A: While we offer free notes, structured practice with exam-style questions and marking schemes is what truly boosts grades. Our courses provide 300+ targeted questions with expert explanations.
📈 While you study hydrocarbons, the world searches for: pak vs eng u19, petrol prices, nasa astronauts space station evacuation, como vs milan, bmc election 2026, david warner, u19 cricket world cup schedule, princess leonor, the rip. Stay focused on your academic goals – your Chemistry grade is more important than trending news!
Student Success Stories
Watch a Hydrocarbon Question Solved Step-by-Step
Ready to Master Hydrocarbons for Your 2026 Exams?
Choose your path to success:
Enroll in Organic Chemistry Crash Course Get 20 Mock Papers (Paper 1) Full Syllabus Crash Course (8 Hours)📚 Free Downloads
Essential resources for your hydrocarbon studies:
- Organic Chemistry Complete Notes
- Hydrocarbons Focused Guide
- The Mole Concept (Stoichiometry)
- O-Level Formula Sheet 2026
- Atoms, Elements & Compounds
🔗 Must-Read Guides
- O-Level 5070 Syllabus Guide 2026
- IGCSE 0620 Syllabus Guide 2026
- Ultimate Chemistry Notes Pack
- How to Calculate Moles Easily
- Ace Paper 4 (ATP) Guide
🎓 Live Masterclass
"Hydrocarbons Demystified: Alkanes to Alkenes"
Date: March 28, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM PKT / 1:00 PM GMT
Exclusive for enrolled students. Join the full course for access.
Quick Revision: Periodic Table Hack
📊 Exam Statistics
- 15-20% of Paper 2 focuses on Organic Chemistry
- 85% of A* students use structured revision courses
- Average improvement: 2+ grades after targeted coaching
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