Use app×
Join Bloom Tuition
One on One Online Tuition
JEE MAIN 2025 Foundation Course
NEET 2025 Foundation Course
CLASS 12 FOUNDATION COURSE
CLASS 10 FOUNDATION COURSE
CLASS 9 FOUNDATION COURSE
CLASS 8 FOUNDATION COURSE
0 votes
659 views
in Chemistry by (51.5k points)
closed by

What is a homologous series? Explain with an example.

1 Answer

+1 vote
by (56.2k points)
selected by
 
Best answer

A series of compounds in which the same functional group substitutes for hydrogen in a carbon chain is called homologous series.

Consider the homologous series of alcohols – methanol, ethanol, etc. Note that methanol (CH3OH) is obtained by replacing one of the H atoms with –OH group. Similarly, the –OH group replaces one of the H atoms of ethane (CH3CH3) to form ethanol (CH3CH2OH) and so on. The chemical properties of these compounds are similar. The successive members of the homologous series differ by a –CH2 unit.

For example, CH3OH and CH3CH2OH, CH3CH2OH and CH3CH2CH2OH differ by a –CH2 unit.

Also, members of a homologous series can be represented using a general formula. In the case of alcohols, the general formula is CnH2n+1O, where ‘n’ is the number of carbon atoms.

Welcome to Sarthaks eConnect: A unique platform where students can interact with teachers/experts/students to get solutions to their queries. Students (upto class 10+2) preparing for All Government Exams, CBSE Board Exam, ICSE Board Exam, State Board Exam, JEE (Mains+Advance) and NEET can ask questions from any subject and get quick answers by subject teachers/ experts/mentors/students.

Categories

...