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WAChemistryQuick questions
Unit 4: Organic Chemistry and Chemical Synthesis
Quick questions on Isomerism: WACE Year 12 Chemistry
5short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is structural (constitutional) isomerism?Show answer
Structural isomers have the same molecular formula but a different connectivity, the atoms are bonded in a different order. There are three types you should recognise.
What is cis-trans (geometric) isomerism?Show answer
Cis-trans isomerism arises because a C=C double bond cannot rotate freely (the pi bond locks the geometry). For it to occur, each carbon of the double bond must carry two different groups.
What is chain isomerism?Show answer
The carbon skeleton differs (straight chain versus branched). For example butane () and 2-methylpropane both have the formula . The branched isomer has weaker dispersion forces, so it boils at a lower temperature.
What is position isomerism?Show answer
The functional group is on a different carbon of the same chain. For example propan-1-ol and propan-2-ol both are , differing only in where the OH sits.
What is functional-group isomerism?Show answer
The atoms are arranged into a different functional group entirely. For example can be ethanol (an alcohol) or methoxymethane (an ether), which have very different properties.
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