1. Saturated hydrocarbons, i.e., alkanes, are also known as paraffins.
Unsaturated compounds are more reactive chemically than saturated hydrocarbons.
The first and simplest member of the alkane series is methane, CH4.
The combination of oxygen and acetylene produces a flame temperature of over 3500oC or 6330oF, making it ideal for welding and cutting.
Combustion of hydrocarbons is regarded as an oxidation reaction because during combustion carbon is oxidised to carbon dioxide and hydrogen is oxidised to water by the addition of oxygen.