Cracking Flashcards
1
Q
What is cracking?
A
Cracking is the thermal decomposition of longer alkane molecules that are not in great demand into smaller more useful ones
- Lots of energy is required due to the strong covalent bonds within the molecule being broken.
2
Q
What happens during cracking?
A
The hydrocarbons are heated until they are a vapour and are either passed over a powdered catalyst or mixed with steam, causing them to split apart.
3
Q
What are the alkenes produced used for?
A
Used as feedstock for other compounds and polymers.
4
Q
What would happen without cracking?
A
More crude oil would need to be extracted to meet the demands for certain hydrocarbons i.e petrol. Lots of longer chain hydrocarbons would go to waste.
