cracking alkenes. Flashcards
what is the science behind cracking crude oil?
process of breaking down long chain of hydrocarbons into small chain hydrocarbons.
why should we crack crude oil?
evidence shows us that there is a low demand for long chain hydrocarbons whereas the short chain hydrocarbons are much more useful and have a higher demand. by cracking them we can meet the demand for short chained hydrocarbons.
what is used as the catalyst?
porcelain chips.
what is the long chain hydrocarbon needed to be cracked?
paraffin.
what does a catalyst allow to happen in this case?
allows there to be a surface for cracking to happen.
what happens during this process for paraffin?
paraffin split up into shorter chain hydrocarbons. some of the gases released were alkanes whilst some were alkenes. we knew this because we tested them with bromine water- it went from orange to colourless.
what is the term used when we break something down using heat?
thermal decomposition.
short answer to what happens during the process of cracking paraffin?
long hydrocarbon turns into an alkene and an alkane. this is done by cracking.
it’s vapourised and hot catalyst.
mixed with steam of a high temperature.
