Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) GCSE Chemistry Paper 2 Practice Exam

Alkenes are indeed more reactive than alkanes and saturated hydrocarbons due to the presence of a carbon-carbon double bond (C=C) in their molecular structure. This double bond makes alkenes susceptible to addition reactions, where other atoms or groups can be added to the carbon atoms involved in the double bond.

Alkanes, on the other hand, are saturated hydrocarbons that contain only single bonds between carbon atoms (C-C). This saturation makes them relatively stable and less reactive. Polymers, which are large molecules made up of repeated subunits (monomers), can also be less reactive than alkenes depending on their structure and the types of reactions they undergo.

The reactivity of alkenes allows them to participate in various chemical reactions, including reactions with halogens, hydrogen, and acids, which makes them a key focus in organic chemistry for their usefulness in synthesis and manufacturing processes.