What is the difference between an alkene and an alkane?

Both alkanes and alkenes are hydrocarbons, which means they only contain carbon and hydrogen atoms.

Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons, which means each carbon atom is bonded to four other atoms and there are no double bonds in the molecule. The formula of the molecule will be CnH2n

Alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons, which means there are one or more double bonds between carbons atoms within the molecule. The formula of the molecule will be CnHn

EM
Answered by Eleanor M. Chemistry tutor

12713 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Why can ammonium sulfate be described as a salt?


What is Le Chatelier's Principle?


In the flowing equitation 2H2+O2→2H2O how many grams of oxygen are needed to make 9g of water?


What are the different types of bonding?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning