Properties and Flammability of Hydrocarbons

Carbon not only combines covalently with other non-metals. but also with itself. Oxygen also reacts with itself 

This section provides an overview of the chemistry, properties and fire hazards of hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons are among the most useful materials to manidnd, but are also among the most dangerous in terms of their fire potential. 

An analogous series of hydrocarbons, and one of the simplest, are the compounds known as the alkanes. In this series, the names of all the compounds end in -ane. The first compound in this series is methane. Methane s molecular formula is CH,. Methane is a gas and is the principal ingredient in the mixture of gases known as natural gas. The next compound is this series is ethane, whose molecular formula is It also a gas present in natural gas. although in a much lower percentage than methane. The difference in the molecular formulas of methane and ethane is one carbon and two hydrogen atoms. 

Propane is the next hydrocarbon in this series, and its molecular formula is CsH, which is one carbon and two hydrogen atoms different from ethane. Propane is an easily liquified gas which is used as fuel. 

The next hydrocarbon in the series is butane, another rather easily liquified gas used as a fuel. Together, butane and propane are known as the LP (liquified petroleum) gases. Butane s molecular formula is C4H,o, which is CHj bigger than propane. 

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