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Fractional distillation is used to separate crude oil into fractions - Edexcel - GCSE Chemistry - Question 1 - 2012 - Paper 1
Question 1
Fractional distillation is used to separate crude oil into fractions. A fractionating column is used for the process. The diagram shows a fractionating column and th... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Fractional distillation is used to separate crude oil into fractions - Edexcel - GCSE Chemistry - Question 1 - 2012 - Paper 1
Step 1
Which of the following statements is true?
Answer
The statement that is true is: C molecules in diesel oil are larger than molecules in petrol.
To clarify, diesel oil consists of larger hydrocarbon molecules compared to petrol, which accounts for its differences in properties and viscosity.
Step 2
Explain what is meant by cracking.
Answer
Cracking is a chemical process in the oil refining industry that involves breaking down large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller, more useful ones, such as alkenes and lighter fractions. This process typically occurs at high temperatures (between 450°C to 750°C) and can involve catalytic or thermal methods.
The purpose of cracking is to convert less valuable long-chain hydrocarbons into valuable products, including fuels and feedstock for various chemical processes. Alkenes produced through cracking are particularly important as they serve as building blocks for a variety of chemicals and polymers.