Practice Organic Chemistry in Chemistry

Use these practice problems to test your method after reviewing the concept explanation and worked examples.

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Quick Recap

Organic chemistry is the study of carbon-containing compounds, especially those built from carbon-hydrogen frameworks and modified by functional groups.

Carbon can build huge families of compounds, so chemists study those compounds as a major branch of chemistry.

Showing a random 20 of 50 problems.

Example 1

medium
Why does organic chemistry get its own branch separate from inorganic chemistry?

Example 2

challenge
Glucose (C6H12O6C_6H_{12}O_6) ferments to ethanol and carbon dioxide: C6H12O6→2C2H5OH+2CO2C_6H_{12}O_6 \rightarrow 2C_2H_5OH + 2CO_2. Verify the equation is balanced by checking each element.

Example 3

challenge
A 22.4 L sample of methane at STP burns completely. What volume of O2O_2 at STP is required?

Example 4

easy
What is the general molecular formula for an alkane with nn carbons?

Example 5

challenge
Complete combustion of propane is C3H8+5O2→3CO2+4H2OC_3H_8 + 5O_2 \rightarrow 3CO_2 + 4H_2O. If 2 mol of propane burns, how many moles of CO2CO_2 form?

Example 6

easy
Does the structure of an organic molecule affect its properties?

Example 7

easy
Does the compound COCO (carbon monoxide) fit the everyday definition of an 'organic compound' used in chemistry?

Example 8

easy
Is methane (CH4CH_4) an organic compound?

Example 9

medium
A label calls a carbon-free mineral salt 'organic produce.' Why is this not the chemistry meaning of organic?

Example 10

medium
Balance the complete combustion of butane: C4H10+O2→CO2+H2OC_4H_{10} + O_2 \rightarrow CO_2 + H_2O.

Example 11

hard
Ethanol and dimethyl ether are isomers of C2H6OC_2H_6O. Which has the higher boiling point and why?

Example 12

easy
The carbon backbone of an organic molecule is also called its what?

Example 13

easy
Organic chemistry is the study of compounds containing which element?

Example 14

challenge
Polyethylene is made from ethylene monomers (C2H4C_2H_4). What is the empirical formula of polyethylene, and what is its repeating unit?

Example 15

medium
Which has more carbon-carbon bonds: ethane (C2H6C_2H_6) or octane (C8H18C_8H_{18})?

Example 16

medium
A compound has the formula C3H6OC_3H_6O and reacts as an aldehyde. Name a likely structure.

Example 17

medium
Balance: C2H4+O2→CO2+H2OC_2H_4 + O_2 \rightarrow CO_2 + H_2O (combustion of ethene).

Example 18

hard
Why does propanoic acid (CH3CH2COOHCH_3CH_2COOH) dissolve in water while pentane does not?

Example 19

easy
How many hydrogens are in butane, C4H?C_4H_{?}, using the alkane formula?

Example 20

easy
How many bonds does a carbon atom typically form?
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