Chemistry - Secondary school study sheets / Exam Preparation
Structure / Properties / Uses of - Fossil fuels,
Hydrocarbons, Alkanes / Alkenes and Cracking
General Information
Subject: Chemistry
Topic: Structure / Properties / Uses of - Fossil fuels, Hydrocarbons,
Alkanes / Alkenes and Cracking
Grade Secondary school
Content: Compact, exam-oriented learning script with all relevant
topics, questions and sample problems.
1
,Chemistry - Secondary school study sheets / Exam Preparation
Table of Contents
1. Fossil Fuels
1.1 Key Terms & Definitions
1.2 Types: Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas
1.3 Formation and Composition
2. Hydrocarbons
2.1 Definition and Structure
2.2 Uses
3. Fractional Distillation
3.1 Definition and Process
3.2 Process
3.3 Fraction Types and Properties
4. Alkanes
4.1 Key words
4.2 Structure & Homologous Series
4.3 Combustion (Complete & Incomplete)
4.4 Reactions and key information
5. Alkenes
5.1 Structure and Definition
5.2 Reactions and key information
5.3 Differences to Alkanes
6. Cracking
6.1 Key words for cracking
6.2 Importance of Supply and Demand
6.3 Process of cracking
2
, Chemistry - Secondary school study sheets / Exam Preparation
1. Fossil fuels
1. Key words for fossil fuels:
1. Renewable= An energy source that more of can be easily made.
2. Generator= A device that turns kinetic energy into electrical energy.
3. Non-renewable= An energy source that can run out.
2. Structure of fossil fuels:
Definition of a fossil fuel:
Fuels made from ancient buried organisms. They are used to produce energy; in the home they are
burned to produce heat, in large power stations they are used to produce electricity and they are
also used to power engines.
The different types of fossil fuels?
1. Coal:
A black or dark-brown combustible (flammable) mineral substance consisting of carbonized
vegetable matter, used as a fuel. It can be burned in power stations.
2. Crude oil (a mixture of hydrocarbons with different chain lengths):
Crude oil is oil in its natural state before it has been processed or refined. It can be used for
transportation, heating and electricity generation, varied petroleum products, and plastics.
3. Natural gas:
Natural gas is usually a colorless highly flammable gaseous hydrocarbon consisting primarily of
methane and ethane. It is used in domestic boilers, cookers and Bunsen burners, as well as in some
power stations.
3. General information for fossil fuels?
How are fossil fuels made?
Fossil fuels are formed when plants or animals are buried and covered by large amounts of mud
under intense pressure over millions of years.
What are they made from?
Coal, crude oil, and natural gas are all considered fossil fuels because they were formed from the
fossilized, buried remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago.
3
Structure / Properties / Uses of - Fossil fuels,
Hydrocarbons, Alkanes / Alkenes and Cracking
General Information
Subject: Chemistry
Topic: Structure / Properties / Uses of - Fossil fuels, Hydrocarbons,
Alkanes / Alkenes and Cracking
Grade Secondary school
Content: Compact, exam-oriented learning script with all relevant
topics, questions and sample problems.
1
,Chemistry - Secondary school study sheets / Exam Preparation
Table of Contents
1. Fossil Fuels
1.1 Key Terms & Definitions
1.2 Types: Coal, Crude Oil, Natural Gas
1.3 Formation and Composition
2. Hydrocarbons
2.1 Definition and Structure
2.2 Uses
3. Fractional Distillation
3.1 Definition and Process
3.2 Process
3.3 Fraction Types and Properties
4. Alkanes
4.1 Key words
4.2 Structure & Homologous Series
4.3 Combustion (Complete & Incomplete)
4.4 Reactions and key information
5. Alkenes
5.1 Structure and Definition
5.2 Reactions and key information
5.3 Differences to Alkanes
6. Cracking
6.1 Key words for cracking
6.2 Importance of Supply and Demand
6.3 Process of cracking
2
, Chemistry - Secondary school study sheets / Exam Preparation
1. Fossil fuels
1. Key words for fossil fuels:
1. Renewable= An energy source that more of can be easily made.
2. Generator= A device that turns kinetic energy into electrical energy.
3. Non-renewable= An energy source that can run out.
2. Structure of fossil fuels:
Definition of a fossil fuel:
Fuels made from ancient buried organisms. They are used to produce energy; in the home they are
burned to produce heat, in large power stations they are used to produce electricity and they are
also used to power engines.
The different types of fossil fuels?
1. Coal:
A black or dark-brown combustible (flammable) mineral substance consisting of carbonized
vegetable matter, used as a fuel. It can be burned in power stations.
2. Crude oil (a mixture of hydrocarbons with different chain lengths):
Crude oil is oil in its natural state before it has been processed or refined. It can be used for
transportation, heating and electricity generation, varied petroleum products, and plastics.
3. Natural gas:
Natural gas is usually a colorless highly flammable gaseous hydrocarbon consisting primarily of
methane and ethane. It is used in domestic boilers, cookers and Bunsen burners, as well as in some
power stations.
3. General information for fossil fuels?
How are fossil fuels made?
Fossil fuels are formed when plants or animals are buried and covered by large amounts of mud
under intense pressure over millions of years.
What are they made from?
Coal, crude oil, and natural gas are all considered fossil fuels because they were formed from the
fossilized, buried remains of plants and animals that lived millions of years ago.
3
