CRUDE OIL
1. What is crude oil?
Crude oil is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons
2. What types of molecules does crude oil contain?
A: It contains molecules in which carbon atoms are in chains or rings
3. Is crude oil renewable or non-renewable?
A: A finite resource
4. How are hydrocarbons separated into fractions?
Hydrocarbons in crude oil are separated by fractional distillation. The crude oil is heated
so it evaporates, and the vapours rise up a fractionating column. Different hydrocarbons
have different boiling points, so they condense at different temperatures at different
levels. Each fraction contains molecules with a similar number of carbon atoms.
5. What happens to the fractions after separation?
A: The fractions can be processed to produce fuels
6. What are refinery gases used for?
A: Domestic heating and cooking
7. What is gasoline/petrol used for?
A: Fuel for cars
8. What is kerosene used for?
A: Fuel for aircraft
9. What is diesel used for?
A: Fuel for some cars and trains
10. What is fuel oil used for?
A: Fuel for large ships and in some power stations
11. What is bitumen used for?
A: Surface roads and roofs
12. What do the properties of hydrocarbons depend on?
A: Some properties of hydrocarbons depend on the size of their molecules. These
properties influence their use as fuels.
1. What is crude oil?
Crude oil is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons
2. What types of molecules does crude oil contain?
A: It contains molecules in which carbon atoms are in chains or rings
3. Is crude oil renewable or non-renewable?
A: A finite resource
4. How are hydrocarbons separated into fractions?
Hydrocarbons in crude oil are separated by fractional distillation. The crude oil is heated
so it evaporates, and the vapours rise up a fractionating column. Different hydrocarbons
have different boiling points, so they condense at different temperatures at different
levels. Each fraction contains molecules with a similar number of carbon atoms.
5. What happens to the fractions after separation?
A: The fractions can be processed to produce fuels
6. What are refinery gases used for?
A: Domestic heating and cooking
7. What is gasoline/petrol used for?
A: Fuel for cars
8. What is kerosene used for?
A: Fuel for aircraft
9. What is diesel used for?
A: Fuel for some cars and trains
10. What is fuel oil used for?
A: Fuel for large ships and in some power stations
11. What is bitumen used for?
A: Surface roads and roofs
12. What do the properties of hydrocarbons depend on?
A: Some properties of hydrocarbons depend on the size of their molecules. These
properties influence their use as fuels.
