Question

(a) What is homologous series?

(b) What is the difference in the molecular formula of any two adjacent homologues:

(i) in terms of molecular mass,

(ii) in terms of number and kind of atoms per molecule?

Answer 1

(a) A homologous series is a group of organic compounds having a similar structure and similar chemical properties in which the successive compounds differ by a CH₂ group.

(b) The difference in molecular formula of any two adjacent homologues is

(i) It differs by 14 a.m.u in terms of molecular mass.

(ii) It differs by three atoms. The kind of atoms it differs is one carbon and two hydrogen.