THE VOIDS Uses of Alkanes Alkanes are compounds that consist only

carbon and hydrogen, it is a hydrocarbon.It is also known as paraffins or saturated hydrocarbons because carbon and hydrogen atoms are linked together exclusively by single bonds.Alkanes belong to a homologus series of organic compounds in which the members differ by a constant molecular mass of 14 that is CH2.General formula is CnH2n + 2. SOme of the common alkanes are:-

Methane CH4 Ethane CH3-CH3 Propane CH3-CH2-CH3 Butane CH3-CH2-CH2-CH3 Pentane CH3-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH3 Hexane CH3-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH3 Heptane CH3-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH3 Octane CH3-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH3 Nonane CH3-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH3 Decane CH3-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH3

Application and Uses of Alkanes Some of the common uses of alkanes are: -heating -electricity generation -Cooking -production of polymers - serve as intermediate in the synthesis of drugs, pesticides and other chemicals - components of gasoline (pentane and octane) - paraffin wax

The uses of alkanes can be determined according to the number of carbon atoms present in it.

Use of Alkanes According to Number of Carbon Atom

The first four alkanes are used for heating, cooking and electricity generation. The main components of natural gas are methane and ethane.

Propane and Butane are used as LPG(liquified pterolium gas). Propane is also used in the propane gas burner, butane in disposable cigarette lighters. They are also used as propellants in Aerosol sprays.

Alkane having carbon number 5-8 are volatile liquids. They are used as fuel sand as good solvents for nonpolar substances.

Alkanes from having carbon 9-16 form the major part of Diesel and aviation fuel.

Alkanes from 17 carbon upwards form the most important components of Fuel oil and lubricating oil also used as anti-corrosive agents, as their hydrophobic nature means that water cannot reach the metal surface. Many solid alkanes find use as paraffin wax also.

Alkanes with 35 or more carbon atoms are used for road surfacing.

Synthetic Polymers such as polyehtylene are alkanes with chains containing hundreds of thousands of carbon atoms.