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Common Misconceptions
Below are a few misconceptions students tend to have when studying organic chemistry and the truth behind the misconceptions
Misconception 1:
C=C Is always at the end/start of a chain
Truth 1:
The double bond can be anywhere, in the middle or the end
Misconception 2:
Naming compounds from the start of the chain
Truth 2:
Often the longest chain must be counted, it is not necessarily the straight chain, must count to see the longest chain, the other chains are side chains
Misconception 3:
Boiling points of geometric isomers are the same because geometric isomers have the same chemical formula
Truth 3:
Boiling point depends on the E-Z notation
Misconception 4:
All compounds found in living organisms are organic
Truth 4:
Many compounds found in our environment are not organic, like salts, minerals. Even carbon dioxide is not an organic compounds
Misconception 5:
The prefix hydro means that hydrocarbons contain water
Truth 5:
The prefix hydro- in hydrocarbons represents hydrogen. Hydrocarbons contain only carbon and hydrogen atoms
Misconception 1:
C=C Is always at the end/start of a chain
Truth 1:
The double bond can be anywhere, in the middle or the end
Misconception 2:
Naming compounds from the start of the chain
Truth 2:
Often the longest chain must be counted, it is not necessarily the straight chain, must count to see the longest chain, the other chains are side chains
Misconception 3:
Boiling points of geometric isomers are the same because geometric isomers have the same chemical formula
Truth 3:
Boiling point depends on the E-Z notation
Misconception 4:
All compounds found in living organisms are organic
Truth 4:
Many compounds found in our environment are not organic, like salts, minerals. Even carbon dioxide is not an organic compounds
Misconception 5:
The prefix hydro means that hydrocarbons contain water
Truth 5:
The prefix hydro- in hydrocarbons represents hydrogen. Hydrocarbons contain only carbon and hydrogen atoms