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AQA · GCSE · Chemistry · Higher

Meaning of the term hydrocarbon

Q01.1 1 mark

Alkanes and alkenes are hydrocarbons.

Define the term ‘hydrocarbon’.

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Marking points

  1. 1 States that a hydrocarbon contains carbon and hydrogen atoms only.

Full-mark answer

A hydrocarbon is a substance whose molecules contain carbon and hydrogen atoms only.

Why this answer loses marks

A hydrocarbon contains carbon and hydrogen.

This omits “only”, so it does not rule out molecules that also contain other elements.