Poly(butene) is a polymer made from crude oil in two stages - AQA - GCSE Chemistry - Question 7 - 2014 - Paper 1
Question 7
Poly(butene) is a polymer made from crude oil in two stages.
The first stage in making poly(butene) is to break down large hydrocarbon molecules from crude oil into... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Poly(butene) is a polymer made from crude oil in two stages - AQA - GCSE Chemistry - Question 7 - 2014 - Paper 1
Step 1
The products contain two types of hydrocarbon.
Name the two types of hydrocarbon.
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Answer
The two types of hydrocarbon are alkanes and alkenes.
Step 2
Describe the conditions in the reactor.
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Answer
The conditions in the reactor include a high temperature, typically ranging from 300 to 900 °C, and the presence of a catalyst or steam. This allows for the breakdown of large hydrocarbons into smaller molecules.
Step 3
Suggest why air must not enter the reactor.
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Air must not enter the reactor because oxygen can react with the hydrocarbons, which could lead to combustion and an explosion.
Step 4
Suggest a method that can be used to separate butene (C4H8) from the other hydrocarbons.
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A suitable method for separating butene from other hydrocarbons is fractional distillation.
Step 5
Draw the displayed structure of a butene (C4H8) molecule.
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The displayed structure of a butene (C4H8) molecule is shown below:
H H H
\\ | /
C=C
/ \
H H
Step 6
Describe how molecules of butene (C4H8) form poly(butene).
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Molecules of butene (C4H8) form poly(butene) through a process called polymerization. During this process, many butene molecules react together, forming long chains or very large molecules, creating a polymer. The double bond in butene opens up, allowing the butene molecules to link together and form a single bond between them.
