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Hydrocarbons — Syllabus

CBSE · Class 11 · Chemistry

What Hydrocarbons covers in CBSE Class 11 Chemistry: 4 topics, for the 2026-27 session. Part of the CBSE Class 11 Chemistry syllabus.

76 questions94 flashcards11 formulas & key relations5 concepts

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4 Topics · CBSE Class 11 Chemistry · 2026-27

Topics in Hydrocarbons

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1. Classification and Importance of Hydrocarbons

  • Hydrocarbons are classified into three main groups based on carbon-carbon bonds: saturated, unsaturated, and aromatic.
  • Saturated hydrocarbons contain only single bonds. Open-chain saturated hydrocarbons are alkanes, and closed-chain saturated hydrocarbons are cycloalkanes.
  • Unsaturated hydrocarbons contain double bonds, triple bonds, or both. Alkenes contain at least one double bond and alkynes contain at least one triple bond.
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2. Alkanes: Structure, Naming, Isomerism, and Preparation

  • Methane is the first member of the alkane family and is a gas found in coal mines and marshy places.
  • Alkanes are called paraffins because they are largely inert under normal conditions.
  • Methane has a tetrahedral shape with H-C-H bond angle of 109.5°.
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3. Conformations of Ethane

  • Alkanes rotate around C-C single bonds because sigma bonds are symmetrical around the bond axis.
  • Rotation about a C-C bond is not completely free; there is a small energy barrier of 1-20 kJ mol-1 due to torsional strain.
  • Ethane shows infinite conformations because rotation around the C-C bond can give many arrangements.
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4. Alkenes: Structure, Isomerism, Preparation, and Reactions

  • Alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons containing at least one double bond.
  • General formula of alkenes is CnH2n.
  • The first stable alkene is ethene; methene is only a theoretical first member with a very short life.

Key Concepts

Central concept: Hydrocarbons

ClassificationAlkanesAlkenesAlkynesAromatic hydrocarbonsPreparation methodsPhysical propertiesChemical reactivity

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in Hydrocarbons for CBSE Class 11 Chemistry?
Key topics in Hydrocarbons include Classification and Importance of Hydrocarbons, Alkanes: Structure, Naming, Isomerism, and Preparation, Conformations of Ethane, Alkenes: Structure, Isomerism, Preparation, and Reactions. Study these first, then practise questions on each for Class 11 exams.
How should I revise Hydrocarbons for Class 11 exams?
Learn the core ideas first, then work through the 76 practice questions on Hydrocarbons. Revise definitions regularly and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.

Sources & Official References

Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

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