Energy and the Relative Stability Kinetic energy is the energy an object has because of its motion. Potential energy is stored energy. It exists only when an attractive or repulsive force exists between objects

The primary source of alkanes is petroleum Natural gas consists chiefly of methane, but ethane, propane, butane, and isobutane are also present. Petroleum is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons that must be refined into different fraction before it can be used

The different arrangements of atoms caused by rotation about a single bond are called conformations (构象)of the molecule, and a specific conformation is called a conformer (构象异构体, conformation isomer). An analysis of the energy changes that a molecule undergoes as groups rotate about single bonds is called a conformational analysis (构象分析)

Isomers are different compounds that have the same molecular formula. Constitutional isomers are isomers that differ because their atoms are connected in a different order. Stereoisomers differ only in arrangement of their atoms in space.Stereoisomers are not constitutional isomers. Enantiomers are stereoisomers whose molecules are nonsuperposable mirror images of each other. Diastereomer are stereoisomers whose molecules are not mirror images of each other

An equimolar mixture of two enantiomers is called a racemic form (either a racemate or a racemic mixture). A racemic form shows no rotation of plane￾polarized light

The C—X bond of alkyl halides is polarized. The carbon atom bears a partial positive charge, The halogen atom a partial negative charge

First order overall (一级反应) The reaction is a unimolecular nucleophilic substitution（单分子亲核取代反应）

1. The experimental conditions — temperature and acid concentration — that are required to being about dehydration are closely related to the structure of the individual alcohol. The relative ease with which alcohols undergo dehydration is in the following order:

There is a group of compounds in which carbon forms only two bonds. These neutral divalent carbon compounds are called carbenes. Most carbenes are highly unstable compounds that are capable of only fleeting existence. Soon after carbenes are formed they usually react with another molecule

How are molecular structures determined? One way is though the use of spectroscopic methods. Spectroscopy is the study of the interaction of energy with matter. When energy is applied to matter it can be absorbed, emitted, cause a chemical change, or be transmitted