Uses and Cracking of Crude Oil

• What is one of the main uses of crude oil in modern life?

  It provides fuel for cars, planes, and heating.
• Why is crude oil considered important in modern life?

  Because it is a source of fuel and feedstock for various products.
• What are some products derived from crude oil?

  Petrol, diesel, and LPG.
• What does the term "cracking" refer to in the context of hydrocarbons?

  It means splitting up long-chain hydrocarbons into shorter ones.
• Why are short-chain hydrocarbons in high demand?

  Because they are better fuels compared to long-chain hydrocarbons.
• What are alkenes and why are they significant?

  Alkenes are products of cracking and are used to make various compounds and polymers.
• What is one of the products of cracking that is useful as fuel?

  Petrol for cars.
• What are the different methods of cracking hydrocarbons?

  • Thermal cracking: breaking molecules by heating.
  • Catalytic cracking: using powdered aluminum to split long-chain molecules.
  • Steam cracking: vaporizing hydrocarbons, mixing with steam, and heating to high temperatures.
• What happens during the first step of thermal cracking?

  Long-chain hydrocarbons are heated to turn them into gas.
• How does catalytic cracking differ from thermal cracking?

  Catalytic cracking uses a catalyst to split molecules, while thermal cracking relies solely on heat.
• What is the role of powdered aluminum in catalytic cracking?

  It acts as a catalyst to help split long-chain molecules.
• What is steam cracking?

  It is a method where hydrocarbons are vaporized, mixed with steam, and heated to high temperatures.
• How would you balance a chemical equation for cracking involving octane?

  You ensure the number of carbon and hydrogen atoms is equal on both sides of the equation.
• What is the significance of balancing chemical equations in cracking reactions?

  • Ensures conservation of mass.
  • Confirms that the number of atoms is the same on both sides.
  • Validates the chemical reaction's accuracy.