Crude Oil and Hydrocarbons

• What is crude oil?

  A mixture of hydrocarbons formed from the remains of simple marine organisms over millions of years
• What is a hydrocarbon?

  A compound containing hydrogen and carbon atoms only
• How is crude oil formed?

  • Microscopic plants and animals die and fall to the sea bed
  • Layers of mud and sand form on top
  • High pressure and temperatures cause the oil to form over time
  • Oil is obtained by drilling
• Why do hydrocarbons have different boiling points?

  The longer the hydrocarbon chain, the higher the boiling point