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When several things that are successive go in a series, they are called a homologous series i.e. In Chemistry, there is the homologous series of hydrocarbons e.g. alkanes.
I am trying to state that butane is next in the homologous series for alkanes, so it comes up something like this:
"Butane is the next __ in the series."
What is the word that would fit in the blank?
You almost had it!
homologue (also homolog); noun, technical
a homologous thing.
A search for “next homologue of” on Google links to chemistry test questions and scientific articles, showing that it's the right technical term. Also, I'm a chemist, and that's the term I use.
"Butane is the next member of the series."
