Crude Oil

Question 1

Crude oil

Answer 1

A mixture of hydrocarbons

Question 2

Fractional distillation

Answer 2

• Boil crude oil
• The vapour passes into a fractioning column
• The temperature is higher at the bottom than at the top
• Different fractions condense at different points
• The longer hydrocarbons with higher boiling points are drawn off nearer the bottom of the tower

Question 3

Refinery gas

Answer 3

Used for bottled gas for heating and cooking

Question 4

Gasoline

Answer 4

Fuel (petrol) in cars

Question 5

Kerosine

Answer 5

Used in oil stoves (paraffin) and as aircraft fuel

Question 6

Diesel

Answer 6

Used in diesel engines e.g. lorries and buses

Question 7

Fuel oil

Answer 7

Fuel for ships

Question 8

Bitumen

Answer 8

Used for making roads

Question 9

Fuel

Answer 9

A substance that, when burned, releases heat energy

Question 10

Why is carbon monoxide poisonous?

Answer 10

It reduces the blood’s capacity to carry oxygen

Question 11

In car engines, temperatures reach high enough that what can form?

Answer 11

Nitrous oxides

Question 12

What can sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react in the atmosphere to form?

Answer 12

Sulphurous acid, sulphuric acid and nitric acid, contributing to acid rain

Question 13

What is the process by which long chain alkanes are converted into shorter chain alkanes and alkenes?

Answer 13

Cracking, this requires a silica or alumina catalyst and a temperature of 600-700 degrees

Question 14

Why is cracking used?

Answer 14

There are too many long-chain hydrocarbons, which are not in such high demand and therefore not as profitable. There are not enough short-chain hydrocarbons to use as fuel. Oil companies use cracking to produce more petrol and alkenes for polymerisation and plastics, making them more profitable