Carbon and its Compounds
Science

Nonaromatic hydrocarbons, such as the alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes
Aliphatic compound
Nonaromatic hydrocarbons, such as the alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes. Aliphatic compound. An aliphatic compound is a type of organic molecule made up of carbon and hydrogen atoms arranged in straight or branched chains, without any aromatic rings.

An easier and shorter way to draw the line-bond structural formula of bonds in a molecule
Condensed structural formula
An easier and shorter way to draw the line-bond structural formula of bonds in a molecule condensed structural formula. A condensed structural formula shows the arrangement of atoms in a molecule without drawing all individual bonds, using groups of atoms instead.

The process by which hydrocarbons are broken down into smaller molecules
Cracking
The process by which hydrocarbons are broken down into smaller molecules cracking. Cracking is a method used in the oil industry to turn heavy and large molecules of crude oil into lighter, more useful products like gasoline.

Compounds that have atoms in the same order, but differ in the orientation of groups around a double bond
Geometric isomer
Compounds that have atoms in the same order, but differ in the orientation of groups around a double bond. Geometric isomers are molecules that have the same structure but different spatial arrangements of atoms due to the rigidity of double bonds.

A group of compounds in which there is a constant increment change in molecular structure from one compound in the series to the next
Homologous series
A group of compounds in which there is a constant increment change in molecular structure from one compound in the series to the next. Homologous series. In science, a homologous series is a family of compounds with similar chemical properties and structures that differ by a repeating unit, like a CH group.

Compounds with the same chemical formula but different physical structures
Isomer
Compounds with the same chemical formula but different physical structures. Isomer. An isomer is a molecule that has the same number and type of atoms as another molecule but arranged differently, giving it distinct properties.

Two forms of a compound which have the same structure but are mirror images of each other
Optical isomer
Two forms of a compound which have the same structure but are mirror images of each other. Optical isomer. Optical isomers are molecules that are like left and right hands they are the same but cannot be superimposed onto each other.

A hydrocarbon that contains only single bonds, like propane
Saturated hydrocarbon
A hydrocarbon that contains only single bonds, like propane. Saturated hydrocarbon. In simple terms, a saturated hydrocarbon is a molecule made of carbon and hydrogen atoms connected by single bonds, found in fuels like propane.

Molecules that have atoms in the same order, but differ in the arrangement of the atoms in space
Stereoisomer
Molecules that have atoms in the same order, but differ in the arrangement of the atoms in space. Stereoisomer. Stereoisomers are like LEGO models built with the same blocks but arranged differently to create distinct shapes.

Compounds that have the same molecular formula, but whose atoms are bonded in a different order
Structural isomer
Compounds that have the same molecular formula, but whose atoms are bonded in a different order. Structural isomer. Structural isomers are molecules that have the same number of each type of atom, but the atoms are connected differently.

A hydrocarbon with one or more double or triple bonds between carbon atoms
Unsaturated hydrocarbon
A hydrocarbon with one or more double or triple bonds between carbon atoms. Unsaturated hydrocarbon. An unsaturated hydrocarbon is a molecule made of carbon and hydrogen containing double or triple bonds.