Cracking fractions of crude oil
I can describe the uses of different fractions of crude oil and describe what cracking is and how it is used to produce lighter fractions that are in greater demand.
Cracking fractions of crude oil
I can describe the uses of different fractions of crude oil and describe what cracking is and how it is used to produce lighter fractions that are in greater demand.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Fractions of crude oil have different properties and uses, affecting the demand for these molecules.
- Larger hydrocarbons can be broken down (cracked) to produce smaller, more useful molecules.
- Cracking can be done by various methods including catalytic cracking and steam cracking.
- The products of cracking include alkanes and alkenes, which have a double bond between two carbon atoms.
- Bromine water changes from orange/brown to colourless in the presence of an alkene.
Keywords
Cracking - Cracking is a thermal decomposition reaction where larger alkanes are broken down into smaller alkanes and alkenes.
Thermal decomposition - A thermal decomposition reaction is a type of reaction that uses heat to break down a reactant compound into two or more products.
Catalyst - A catalyst is a chemical that speeds up the rate of a reaction without itself being used up.
Saturated - Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons as they contain only single bonds between carbon atoms.
Unsaturated - Unsaturated compounds contain at least one carbon-carbon double covalent bond.
Common misconception
Cracking is the same as fractional distillation.
Fractional distillation separates hydrocarbons based on their boiling points. Cracking alters the molecular formula of compounds.
To help you plan your year 11 chemistry lesson on: Cracking fractions of crude oil, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 chemistry lesson on: Cracking fractions of crude oil, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
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