Contents
Key Stage 3
Meaning
Ethene is a gaseous (at room temperature) hydrocarbon with chemical formula C2H4.
About Ethene
- Ethene is hydrocarbon because it contains only Hydrogen and Carbon atoms.
- Ethene can be oxidised to produce Carbon Dioxide and Water.
- Ethene + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water
Key Stage 4
Meaning
Ethene is a gaseous (STP) alkene with chemical formula C2H4.
About Ethene
| Chemical Formula (CnH2n) | Structural Formula | Structural Diagram | Ball and Stick Model |
| C2H4 | CH2CH2 |  |
 |
- Ethene is hydrocarbon because it contains only Hydrogen and Carbon atoms.
- Ethene has a double bond between the two Carbon atoms.
- Ethene is described as 'unsaturated' due to the double bond as it is not completely 'saturated' by Hydrogen atoms like Ethane.
- Ethene can be oxidised to produce Carbon Dioxide and Water.
- Ethene + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water
\(C_2H_4 + 3O_2 → 2CO_2 + 2H_2O\)
Ethene as a Plant Hormone
- The ripening of fruit is controlled by ethene.
- Ethene also affects the rate of cell division.
Using Ethene as a Plant Hormone
- To make fruit last longer they are harvested before they are ripe. When the farmer wants to sell them they put ethene gas in their container causing them to ripen.
References
AQA
- Ethene (in plants), page 240, GCSE Biology, CGP, AQA
- Ethene (in plants), page 82, GCSE Biology; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
- Ethene, page 179, GCSE Biology; Third Edition, Oxford University Press, AQA
- Ethene, pages 159, 168, GCSE Chemistry; Third Edition, Oxford University Press, AQA
- Ethene, pages 171, 173, 176, GCSE Biology, Hodder, AQA
- Ethene, pages 171, 225-6, GCSE Biology; Student Book, Collins, AQA
- Ethene, pages 227, 230, 233-236, GCSE Chemistry, CGP, AQA
- Ethene, pages 236-41, 246, 254, 256, GCSE Chemistry; Student Book, Collins, AQA