C7: CRUDE OIL AND FRACTIONAL DISTILLATIONAL

Question 1

What is crude oil made from?

Answer 1

remains of plankton over millions of years

Question 2

What are hydrocarbons?

Answer 2

molecules containing hydrogen and carbon only

Question 3

Fractional distillation

Answer 3

-crude oil is heated at the bottom of the column until it evaporates
-the gas travels up the column
-the hydrocarbons will condense as they rise up the column as it gets colder at the top
-the longer hydrocarbon chains will condense at the bottom as they have higher boiling points
-the shorter hydrocarbon chains will condense at the top as they have lower boiling points

Question 4

Properties of long chain hydrocarbons

Answer 4

-high boiling point
-high viscosity
-low flammability
-burn with a smoky flame

Question 5

Properties of short chain hydrocarbons

Answer 5

-low boiling point
-low viscosity
-high flammability
-burn with a clean flame