alkane
/ˈælkeɪn/
noun
- A type of hydrocarbon (a chemical made of hydrogen and carbon) in which the carbon atoms are connected by single bonds. Alkanes are found in natural gas and petroleum.
- Alkanes like propane and butane are commonly used as fuel for camping stoves and lighters.
- In chemistry class, students learned that alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons because they have only single bonds.
- Methane, the simplest alkane, is the main component of natural gas used for heating homes.
Synonyms