AQA · Chemistry · 8462

GCSE Chemistry: Fractional distillation and petrochemicals

Organic chemistry · AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462), specification point 4.7.1.2. Cards are generated from the exam board's own specification for "Fractional distillation and petrochemicals", and every card links back to the page it came from. Specification © AQA — used with attribution.

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  1. What process separates crude oil into fractions?

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    Fractional distillation.

  2. What do the molecules in one crude oil fraction have in common?

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    A similar number of carbon atoms (and so similar boiling points).

  3. Explain how fractional distillation of crude oil works.

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    The crude oil is heated so the hydrocarbons evaporate; the vapours rise up the column, which is cooler towards the top, and each fraction condenses at a different level according to its boiling point.

  4. Fractional distillation of crude oil relies on the processes of evaporation and ?.

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    condensation

  5. What two things are fractions from crude oil processed into?

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    Fuels and feedstock for the petrochemical industry.

  6. Name three fuels produced from crude oil.

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    Any three of: petrol, diesel oil, kerosene, heavy fuel oil, liquefied petroleum gases (LPG).

  7. Name three useful materials produced by the petrochemical industry.

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    Any three of: solvents, lubricants, polymers, detergents.

  8. Why do so many natural and synthetic carbon compounds exist?

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    Carbon atoms can form families of similar compounds (e.g. homologous series such as the alkanes).

  9. The mixture of many hydrocarbons that is separated into fractions is called ?.

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    crude oil

  10. What is meant by 'feedstock' for the petrochemical industry?

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    Raw material (from crude oil fractions) used to make petrochemical products such as polymers, solvents and detergents.

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