Crude Oil

Question 1

What is crude oil mainly made up of?

Answer 1

Hydrocarbons.

Question 2

What is a hydrocarbon?

Answer 2

A molecule made up of just carbon and hydrogen.

Question 3

How is crude oil separated out into its different fractions?

Answer 3

Fractional distillation.

Question 4

If a molecule is short, how viscous is it?

Answer 4

Less viscous.

Question 5

If a molecule is short, how volatile is it?

Answer 5

More volatile.

Question 6

If a molecule is short, how high is its boiling temperature?

Answer 6

Low.

Question 7

If a molecule is short, how flammable is it?

Answer 7

Very.

Question 8

What is an alkane?

Answer 8

A saturated hydrocarbon.

Question 9

What are the first four alkanes?

Answer 9

Methane, ethane, propane and butane.

Question 10

Why do crude oil fractions make good fuels?

Answer 10

They burn cleanly.

Question 11

Apart from fuels, what is crude oil also used for?

Answer 11

Various chemicals, like plastics.

Question 12

Why are crude oil fractions the easiest thing to use?

Answer 12

1. Things are set up for it e.g petrol engines

2. Reliable

Question 13

How are new oil reserves being found?

Answer 13

New technology means we can now extract oil that was once too difficult or expensive.

Question 14

Why are oil spills bad for the local environment?

Answer 14

Wildlife is poisoned.

Question 15

What is the equation for fuel combustion?

Answer 15

Hydrocarbon + Oxygen –> Carbon dioxide + Water vapour (+ energy)

Question 16

What is partial combustion?

Answer 16

Not all the fuel is burned because there isn’t enough oxygen.

Question 17

What is the result of partial combustion?

Answer 17

1. Soot (carbon) and unburnt fuel released

2. Carbon monoxide released

Question 18

What causes acid rain?

Answer 18

Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide.

Question 19

How does sulfur dioxide cause acid rain?

Answer 19

It mixes with clouds to form dilute sulfuric acid, which is acid rain.

Question 20

What are the problems caused by acid rain?

Answer 20

1. Lakes become acid, so wildlife dies

2. Damages limestone buildings and statues

Question 21

How can acid rain be reduced?

Answer 21

1. Most sulfur can be removed before burning
2. Acid Gas Scrubbers take harmful gases out before they’re released into the atmosphere
3. Reduce usage of fossil fuels

Question 22

Why isn’t all sulfur removed before burning?

Answer 22

1. Expensive

2. Takes energy (more emissions)

Question 23

What could global warming cause?

Answer 23

Severe flooding due to polar ice caps melting.

Question 24

What is global dimming?

Answer 24

Less sunlight is reaching Earth because soot particles in the atmosphere are reflecting sunlight.

Question 25

What is global dimming caused by?

Answer 25

Fossil fuel burning.

Question 26

What do some scientists think about global dimming?

Answer 26

It’s based on inaccurate recording equipment.

Question 27

Name two biofuels.

Answer 27

1. Ethanol

2. Biodiesel

Question 28

What are the advantages of ethanol?

Answer 28

1. Carbon neutral

2. Renewable

Question 29

What are the disadvantages of ethanol?

Answer 29

1. Need new engines
2. Not widely available
3. Increase food prices

Question 30

What are the advantages of biodiesel?

Answer 30

1. Carbon neutral
2. Engines don’t need converting
3. Produces less sulfur dioxide and particulates

Question 31

What are the disadvantages of biodiesel?

Answer 31

1. Can’t make enough
2. Expensive
3. Increase food prices

Question 32

What are the advantages of hydrogen gas fuel?

Answer 32

Just makes water - very clean

Question 33

What are the disadvantages of hydrogen gas fuel?

Answer 33

1. Need expensive engine
2. Not widely available
3. Need energy from another source
4. Hard to store - explosive