Question

What are four common characteristics of all organic molecules?

Answer 1

`1`. They all contain carbon.
`2`. Most of them are flammable.
`3`. They are all soluble in non-polar solvents.
`4`. They are most, if not all, are covalently bonded molecules.

Explanation:

1. Organic compounds are compounds that contain carbon bonded with other elements, such as hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur, and more.

2. One group of organic compounds, the hydrocarbons, are one of the reactants for hydrocarbon combustion, and therefore are flammable.

3. Since organic compounds are generally non-polar, they are not going to be soluble in water, which is polar. The non-polar molecules of organic compounds are attracted to other non-polar molecules, so they will be soluble in non-polar solvents.

4. Carbon has 4 valence electrons to share with, so it is very easy for other elements to form covalent bonds with it. With the addition of hydrogen which has 1 valence electron, millions and millions of different compounds can form.

Source:
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