How to easily remember the difference between Alkenes and Alkanes?

Question

jfraser · Answer

in general, alkanes have all single bonds, where alkenes have at least one. In terms of formulas, a non-cyclic alkane will always have the general formula $C_nH_{2n+2}$ so methane is $CH_4$, ethane is $C_2H_6$, propane is $C_3H_8$, etc etc. Alkenes sacrifice one H atoms from neighboring carbons in order to make a double bond, so the formula of all simple alkenes is $C_nH_{2n}$

anonymous · Answer

alkenes: have 2 of the same letter (e) --> they have one or more double bonds between carbon atoms

alkanes:don't have any repeating letters --> only have single bonds between carbon atoms

anonymous · Answer

salt has the letter a in it - so I guess you could say saturated in terms of salt...

alkanes have an extra a and are therefore saturated and 
alkenes are unsaturated because they don't have an extra a

idk :P

anonymous · Answer

Thanks for the help, I like the double letter thing to remember which is which:)

anonymous · Answer

that's ok I usually come up with little things like that to remember things....especially for chemistry exams!