The document discusses hydrocarbons and how their properties change with increasing carbon chain length. Shorter chain hydrocarbons with 5 or fewer carbons are gases at room temperature, while those with 5-19 carbons are liquids and those with 20 or more carbons are waxy solids or plastics. As the number of carbons increases, the hydrocarbon's viscosity, hardness, toughness and flammability also increase.
2. Hydrocarbons
at Room Temperature
Gas
Methane
Ethane
Propane
Butane
Plastic
Liquid Waxy
20 to 40
Carbons
5 to 19
Carbons
40 or more
Carbons
3. What other material properties
change?
Viscosity
Hardness
Toughness
Flammability