Cracking Hydrocarbons Flashcards
1
Q
What does the process called cracking do?
A
Turns the long chain hydrocarbons into shorter molecules which are more useful
2
Q
What is cracking a form of?
A
Thermal decomposition
3
Q
What does thermal decomposition mean?
A
Breaking molecules down into simpler molecules by heating them
4
Q
Why are a lot of longer molecules produced from fractional distillation cracked into smaller ones?
A
Because there’s more demand for products like petrol than for diesel or lubricating oil
5
Q
Importantly, what else does cracking produce?
A
ALKENES which are needed for making plastics
6
Q
What do long-chain hydrocarbons form?
A
Thick gloopy liquids like tar which aren’t all that useful
