Question

What are alkanes, alkenes and alkynes?

Answer 1

We have to remember that the hydrocarbon is an organic compound having carbon and hydrogen atoms. And this hydrocarbon is mainly divided into four main classes which are, alkane, alkene, alkynes and arenes. The saturated hydrocarbon contains only single bonds. And the unsaturated hydrocarbon contains double or triple covalent bonds which exist between the adjacent carbon atoms. Generally the hydrocarbon compounds are colorless and it has a very weak smell.

Complete answer:
The alkanes, alkenes and alkyne are the hydrocarbons which do not have any functional groups.
The alkane is a type of hydrocarbons having the single bonded carbon and hydrogen atoms. Here each carbon contains four bonds and it is a saturated hydrocarbon. The general formula of alkane is ${C_n}{H_{2n + 2}}$. The alkane are mainly divided into three types and that is, branched alkane, cyclo alkanes and straight chain alkanes. The alkane compounds are colorless and its density is less than the water. And the alkane are non – polar compounds. Hence, it is dissolved in non – polar solvents.
The alkene is an unsaturated hydrocarbon and it contains a double bond between the adjacent carbon atoms. The general formula of alkene is ${C_n}{H_{2n}}$. And the alkene does not have any colour and odor and it is insoluble in water because of its non – polar nature.
The alkyne is an unsaturated compound having a triple bond between the adjacent carbon atoms. And the general formula of alkyne is ${C_n}{H_{2n + 2}}$.

Note:
We have to know that hydrocarbons are completely made up of only two types of atoms which are, hydrogen and carbon. The hydrocarbons are mainly divided into two types and that is, saturated hydrocarbons and unsaturated hydrocarbons. Alkane is an example of a saturated compound and it contains only a single bond between adjacent carbon atoms. And alkene and alkyne contain double bond and triple bond respectively. And the shape of hydrocarbons may be straight, branched or ring shaped.