Organic Chemistry

Question 1

Crude oil

Answer 1

A mixture of hydrocarbons that we use as a source of elements we use in society. It is a black tar-like liquid. There are thousands of hydrocarbons with different chain lengths.

Question 2

Background of crude oil

Answer 2

Crude oil formed from the decomposition of tiny creatures which lived in the sea more than 100 000 000 years ago. Certain conditions had to be present. The oil formed in porous sedimentary rocks that could hold the oil but an impermeable layer had to form on top to seal in the oil. Pressure on the rocks caused them to fold and form a dome under which oil could collect in sufficient quantities to be economical to extract.

Question 3

Coal

Answer 3

Black rock, from plants

Question 4

Hydrocarbons

Answer 4

Compounds made up of hydrogen and carbon only.

Question 5

What is crude oil?

Answer 5

A mixture

Question 6

How to separate crude oil into different products?

Answer 6

Physical processes such as fractional distillation

Question 7

Fossil fuels

Answer 7

Crude oil and natural gas (also a hydrocarbon) are classified as fossil fuels as they are formed from living things (fossil) and are burned to give energy (fuel).

Question 8

Alkanes

Answer 8

• most of the compounds in crude oil
• saturated hydrocarbons-