Alkanes An Overview . Are members of the hydrocarbon family. Are made up of chains of carbon atoms with single covalent bonds between them. Are mostly used as fuels , they burn cleanly to produce carbon dioxide and water.
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas which contributes to global warming.
The next alkane is ethane , each molecule contains two carbons joined to 6 hydrogens. The next alkane is propane , each molecule contains three carbons joined to 8 hydrogens. The carbons are starting to form a chain. The carbon chain can get longer . . . The carbon chain is sometimes called a 'backbone'.