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alkane

vr.tr.alkane · thing-q41581

Let an agent handle alkanes by chain length, properties, uses, hazards and naming.

Thing Registry Physical world and living systems PHY.MAT
Bundle → Layer → Finding → QuestionsClassifiersWhat it isWhy it existsDistinguishing featuresWhat robots and AI may and may not doMoral aspectsOwnersLinks to other meta-modelsIdentity and identifiersDirect propertiesRecognitionCapabilities and actionsHazards and failure modesStandards and interfacesContext of useSources

Bundle → Layer → Finding → Questions Filled

4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions

Structure Which alkane.

Name

IUPAC.

Name

Name and formula.

  1. What is the IUPAC name and formula? definition
  2. Is it straight-chain or branched? definition

Isomers

Branching.

Isomers

Isomers.

  1. How many isomers does this formula have? measurement
  2. How do their properties differ? definition
Properties Physical data.

Physical

Boiling point.

Physical

Physical properties.

  1. What are its boiling point and density? measurement
  2. From which data source? provenance

Reactivity

Combustion.

Reactivity

Reactivity.

  1. What does complete combustion produce? definition
  2. When does incomplete combustion occur? boundary
Safety Hazards.

Fire

Flammability.

Fire

Fire hazard.

  1. What are its flash point and explosive limits? measurement
  2. What storage rules apply? provenance

Leaks

Gas leaks.

Leaks

Gas leaks.

  1. What should someone do if they smell gas? action
  2. Which emergency number applies? provenance
Uses Applications.

Fuels

Gas and liquids.

Fuels

Fuel uses.

  1. Which fuel is this alkane part of? definition
  2. What is its energy content? measurement

Industry

Feedstocks.

Industry

Industrial uses.

  1. How is it used as a chemical feedstock or solvent? definition
  2. What alternatives exist? definition

Classifiers Filled

Family
Thing Registry
Category
Physical world and living systems
Entry kind
thing
Plane
PHY
Domain
PHY.MAT
Other names and narrower kinds
(2H4)methane, hentetracontane, propane, undecane, dodecane, tetradecane, pentadecane, hexadecane, heptadecane, octadecane, nonadecane, icosane

What it is Filled

A saturated acyclic hydrocarbon with the general formula CnH2n+2, such as methane, ethane, propane and butane; the main components of natural gas and many fuels.

Why it exists Filled

Let an agent handle alkanes by chain length, properties, uses, hazards and naming.

Distinguishing features Filled

  • Only single bonds
  • Relatively unreactive except in combustion
  • Boiling point rises with chain length
  • Straight and branched isomers

What robots and AI may and may not do Filled

Must not

  • Assist anyone in using flammable gases or fuels to cause harm.
  • Store or handle them near ignition sources or in unventilated spaces.
  • Misstate their flammability or hazards.
  • Vent them where they can cause asphyxiation or explosion.

Only with a human decision

  • Handling bulk flammable gases or fuels.

May

  • Describe alkanes, their properties and uses from chemical references.
  • Report safety data from official sources.

Moral aspects Filled

  • Gas leaks cause fires, explosions and asphyxiation.
  • Burning alkane fuels drives climate change.

Who is affected

  • Workers and households
  • Bystanders
  • The climate

Owners Filled

Steward

The person or business that holds it; fire and safety authorities regulate storage.

Links to other meta-models Filled

parent

  • Q2700049 - registry parent class
  • Q344942 - registry parent class
  • Q47165582 - registry parent class

related

  • aliphatic hydrocarbon - category
  • methane and propane - members
  • natural gas and petroleum - source
  • alkene - unsaturated

What else AI and robots need to interact with it Filled

Identity and identifiers required Filled

  • Vercy registry: vr.tr.alkane
  • Wikidata: Q41581 (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q41581)
  • CAS number: per compound registry
  • IUPAC name: systematic nomenclature

Direct properties required Filled

  • methane boiling point: about -162 degC
  • state at room temperature: gas up to C4, liquid about C5-C17 - approximate

Recognition required Filled

  • General formula CnH2n+2
  • Names ending in -ane
  • Cycloalkanes have rings and a different formula
  • Gases for short chains, liquids for medium chains and waxy solids for long chains; colourless.

Capabilities and actions required Filled

  • name alkanes by IUPAC rules
  • compare boiling points by chain length
  • check flammability and handling rules
  • identify uses as fuels or feedstocks

Hazards and failure modes required Filled

  • Fire and explosion
  • Asphyxiation in enclosed spaces
  • Carbon monoxide from incomplete combustion

Standards and interfaces required Filled

  • IUPAC nomenclature
  • CLP and GHS classification
  • ATEX rules for explosive atmospheres

Context of use required Filled

  • Fuels, solvents, waxes and chemical feedstocks.
  • gaseous alkanes
  • liquid alkanes
  • paraffin waxes
  • branched alkanes
  • isomers

Sources Filled

  1. Wikidata item Q41581: alkane - identity and sense of the item
  2. Wikipedia: Alkane - general description of the item

Open questions

  • Should each alkane be a separate entry?
  • How should isomers be linked?
  • How should fuel grades be linked?

Machine files

Card as JSON Specification Card backlog vercy.card/1

Provenance

thing registry research (pass 2) · unreviewed

Built from: models/things/publications/thing-q41581/spec.json