Why are alkanes saturated and alkenes unsaturated?

Alkanes are saturated because they contain only single covalent bonds. Alkenes are unsaturated because they do have double covalent bonds.

CM
Answered by Calum M. Chemistry tutor

17514 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What is an unsaturated hydrocarbon?


Why is Fluorine in the group 7 of the periodic table? Which element, Fluorine or Chlorine, has a higher electronegativity? Explain your answer.


For the reaction (hydrochloric acid + magnesium -> magnesium chloride + hydrogen) what would happen to the rate of reaction if the solid magnesium was cut into smaller pieces? Explain the change (4)


I don't understand why pressure changes the position of equilibrium in a reaction?


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:

© 2026 by IXL Learning