Crude oil

Crude oil is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons.

Fractional distillation of crude oil and catalytic cracking of long-chain hydrocarbons are critical processes in petroleum refining.

Which physical parameter change inside the fractionating column is responsible for separating the different crude oil fractions?

A Temperature decreases as you go up the column, causing fractions with lower boiling points to condense near the top.
B Temperature increases as you go up the column, causing fractions with higher boiling points to condense near the top.
C Density decreases as you go up the column, causing heavier fractions to rise to the top.
D Viscosity increases as you go up the column, causing less viscous fractions to settle at the bottom.

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The fractions obtained from crude oil include:

Give one major use for kerosene.

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Give one major use for fuel oil.

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State which of the fractions listed above has the highest viscosity.

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Catalytic cracking is used to break down long-chain alkanes into more valuable shorter-chain alkanes and alkenes.

Name the catalyst used in industrial cracking.

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State the approximate temperature range used in industrial cracking.

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Decane ( $C10H22\text{C}_{10}\text{H}_{22}$ ) can be cracked to produce ethene ( $C2H4\text{C}_2\text{H}_4$ ) and only one other hydrocarbon.

Write a balanced chemical equation for this reaction.

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Draw the displayed formula of ethene ( $C2H4\text{C}_2\text{H}_4$ ).

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Name the polymer formed from ethene.

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Explain why this polymer is difficult to dispose of by landfill.

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Crude oil Questions