a hydrocarbon in which all of the bonds are single bonds
alkene
hydrocarbon with one or more double bonds
Cracking
The breaking down of long-chained saturated hydrocarbons to form a mixture of shorter-chained alkanes and alkenes. Usually more useful hydrocarbons too.
CnH2n+2
General formula for alkanes
CnH2n
General Formula for Alkenes
crude oil
A mixture of many different carbon compounds, hydrocarbons formed from the remains of dead sea life which was covered with silt on the sea bed and compressed over millions of years.
Fractional distillation
A process of petroleum refining, by which a chemical mixture such as petroleum is separated into its components depending on the different boiling points of components.
Complete combustion
combustion that occurs when there is plenty of oxygen; it produces carbon dioxide and water vapour
Incomplete combustion
When a fuel burns in insufficient oxygen, producing carbon monoxide as a toxic product.
Viscosity
A liquid's resistance to flowing
Thermal decomposition
a chemical reaction in which a compound broken by heating.
