This key facts covers Industrial Importance of Cracking within Cracking (HT) for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Cracking (HT) in Organic Chemistry for GCSE Chemistry with 24 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This topic appears less often, but it can still be a useful differentiator on mixed-topic papers. It is section 8 of 14 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
⚙️ Industrial Importance of Cracking
Economic Reasons:
• Petrol is worth much more per litre than heavy fuel oil
• Converting low-value products into high-value ones increases profit
• Refinery can adjust production to match market demand
• Reduces waste and maximises use of crude oil
• Petrol is worth much more per litre than heavy fuel oil
• Converting low-value products into high-value ones increases profit
• Refinery can adjust production to match market demand
• Reduces waste and maximises use of crude oil
Polymer Industry:
• Ethene → Poly(ethene) (plastic bags, bottles)
• Propene → Poly(propene) (ropes, carpets)
• Styrene → Poly(styrene) (packaging, insulation)
• Alkenes are the raw materials for most plastics
• Ethene → Poly(ethene) (plastic bags, bottles)
• Propene → Poly(propene) (ropes, carpets)
• Styrene → Poly(styrene) (packaging, insulation)
• Alkenes are the raw materials for most plastics
Practice questions for Cracking (HT)
What is cracking in chemistry?
Describe the conditions used in thermal cracking and state the types of product formed.
Quick recall flashcards
Why is cracking needed?
Long alkanes are less useful. Cracking produces shorter alkanes for fuel and alkenes for polymers
What is cracking?
Breaking down long-chain hydrocarbons into shorter, more useful molecules