Question detail
Which structural feature defines an alkene?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Reactions of alkenes and alcohols (chemistry only)
Question
- A. Only single carbon-carbon bonds
- B. At least one carbon-carbon double bond
- C. A hydroxyl functional group
- D. A carboxyl functional group
Answer
The correct option is At least one carbon-carbon double bond. An alkene is defined by having at least one carbon-carbon double bond in a hydrocarbon molecule.
Explanation
The correct option is At least one carbon-carbon double bond. The carbon-carbon double bond is the key structural feature of alkenes. Hydroxyl groups identify alcohols, carboxyl groups identify carboxylic acids, and hydrocarbons with only single carbon-carbon bonds are alkanes. This keeps the alkane/alkene boundary clear.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Alkenes
Students often confuse alkenes with alkanes, thinking both are saturated hydrocarbons.
Remember that alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons due to the presence of a double carbon-carbon bond, while alkanes are saturated and contain only single bonds.
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