1. The Basics of Carbon Chains
Developed by Jason Murray
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2. Examining a Structural Formula
Structural formulas give you two basic pieces of
information. They tell you what elements are used in the
compound and how those elements are bonded
together. An element is represented by its chemical
symbol, while dashes represent bonds between atoms.
C5H12 (pentane) has the following structural formula:
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3. Straight Chain Carbon Compounds
• A straight chain carbon compound has all
the carbon symbols lined up in a straight
line, bonded together in a chain.
C – C – C – C – C – C – C
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4. Branched Chain Carbon
Compounds
• Branch chain carbon compounds are
characterized by carbon symbols
branching off a main chain.
C – C – C – C – C
I
C
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5. Ring-Shaped Carbon Chains
• Carbon compounds that have a ring-shaped
chain show all the carbon symbols bonded in a
ring shape.
C – C
/
C C
/
C – C
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14. Try again!
Tell me again about
straight chains
Tell me again about
branched chains
Tell me again about
ring-shaped chains
Back to the question
15. YAHOO!!
• If you made it here, then you have:
• 1. Learned about the 3 types of carbon
chains
• 2. Successfully identified the 3 types of
carbon chains by viewing examples
• 3. Completed this activity
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