Crude oil, alkanes and alkenes
By the end of this chapter you will be able to
- Explain how fractional distillation separates crude oil into fractions
- Name and draw the first alkanes, and use the general formula
- Write equations for complete and incomplete combustion
- Explain why cracking is needed, and identify an alkene by the bromine water test
- [H] Write word equations for addition reactions of alkenes
You should already know
- Covalent bonds and shared pairs (Chapter 5)
- Intermolecular forces (Chapter 5)
- Balancing equations (Chapter 7)
Where this leads
- Alcohols, carboxylic acids and polymers (Chapter 16)
- Fuels and the atmosphere (Chapter 18)
GCSE Chemistry. Content follows the GCSE (9-1) subject content for England (Edexcel and AQA). Content references: Describe crude oil as a mixture of hydrocarbons, and explain fractional distillation and the uses of the fractions, Describe the alkanes as a homologous series, with the general formula CnH2n+2, and the trends in properties, Describe complete and incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons, Explain cracking, and describe alkenes (general formula CnH2n) and the bromine water test, [H] Describe addition reactions of alkenes with hydrogen, steam and halogens.
Exercise P Do you remember?
Method. Carbon makes four bonds.
- Recall. Carbon has 4 outer electrons, so 4 bonds in CH4.4
- Write the answer. 4
Check. Each C-H bond is one shared pair. ✓
Method. Recall the bond type.
- Recall. Atoms in a molecule are held by covalent bonds.covalent
- Write the answer. covalent
Check. Ethane is a hydrocarbon. ✓
Method. Multiply, then add.
- Multiply. 2 x 5 = 10.10
- Add. 10 + 2 = 12.12
- Write the answer. 12
Check. Pentane has 5 carbons; C5H12 has 12 hydrogens. ✓
Method. Add the Ar values.
- Add. 12 + 2 x 16 = 44.44
- Write the answer. 44
Check. Chapter 7. ✓
Method. Recall the test.
- Recall. Carbon dioxide turns limewater cloudy or milky.carbon dioxide
- Write the answer. carbon dioxide
Check. Chapter 17 covers gas tests. ✓
Crude oil and fractional distillation
Crude oil is a mixture of hydrocarbons: compounds made only of carbon and hydrogen. Its hydrocarbons have a range of chain lengths and boiling points. In fractional distillation, crude oil is heated to a vapour and enters a tall column. The column is hotter at the bottom and cooler at the top. Each hydrocarbon condenses at the height where its boiling point is reached, so the mixture is separated into fractions.
| Fraction | Chain length (about) | Use |
|---|---|---|
| refinery gases | C1 to C4 | bottled gas, fuel |
| petrol (gasoline) | C5 to C10 | fuel for cars |
| kerosene | C11 to C15 | jet fuel |
| diesel oil | C15 to C19 | fuel for lorries and trains |
| bitumen | C70 and larger | road surfacing |
Key ideas
- Crude oil is a mixture of hydrocarbons with different chain lengths.
- Fractional distillation separates the mixture by boiling point.
- Short chains boil at low temperatures and condense near the top; long chains condense near the bottom.
- Fractions are used as fuels, and bitumen is used for road surfacing.
Method. Compare the boiling points.
- Look. Short chains have the lowest boiling points.short chains
- Decide. So refinery gases are collected at the top.refinery gases
- Write the answer. refinery gases
Check. Refinery gases include bottled gas. ✓
Method. Recall the use of each fraction.
- Recall. Bitumen has the longest chains and is used to surface roads.bitumen
- Decide. So the answer is bitumen.bitumen
- Write the answer. bitumen
Check. It is collected at the bottom of the column. ✓
Method. Recall the use of each fraction.
- Look. Kerosene is a middle fraction, between petrol and diesel.middle fraction
- Decide. It is used as jet fuel for aircraft.kerosene
- Write the answer. kerosene
Check. Kerosene condenses above diesel in the column. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: crude oil is a mixture, not a compound. The fractions are not pure substances; each one is still a mixture of hydrocarbons with a range of chain lengths.
Exam tip
Exam tip. Link the boiling point to the height in the column: higher boiling points condense lower down.
Exercise 15A Crude oil and fractional distillation
Method. Recall the definition.
- Recall. Crude oil is a mixture of hydrocarbons.mixture of hydrocarbons
- Write the answer. a mixture of hydrocarbons
Check. Hydrocarbons contain only carbon and hydrogen. ✓
Method. Recall the name.
- Recall. Compounds made only of carbon and hydrogen are hydrocarbons.hydrocarbons
- Write the answer. hydrocarbons
Check. Alkanes and alkenes are hydrocarbons. ✓
Method. Recall the process.
- Recall. Fractional distillation separates crude oil by boiling point.fractional distillation
- Write the answer. fractional distillation
Check. It uses a tall column. ✓
Method. Recall the temperature gradient.
- Recall. The column is hotter at the bottom, where the crude oil enters.bottom
- Write the answer. bottom
Check. Cooler at the top. ✓
Method. Recall the fraction and its use.
- Recall. Kerosene is used as jet fuel.kerosene
- Write the answer. kerosene
Check. Kerosene is a middle fraction. ✓
Method. Recall the fraction and its use.
- Recall. Diesel oil fuels lorries and trains.diesel oil
- Write the answer. diesel oil
Check. Diesel is above kerosene in the column. ✓
Method. Look at the lowest boiling point.
- Recall. Refinery gases have the shortest chains and the lowest boiling points.refinery gases
- Write the answer. refinery gases
Check. These gases are used as bottled gas. ✓
Method. Look at the longest chains.
- Recall. Bitumen has the longest chains and the highest boiling point.bitumen
- Write the answer. bitumen
Check. Bitumen is collected at the bottom. ✓
Method. Think about the forces.
- Forces. Longer molecules have stronger intermolecular forces between them.stronger forces
- Conclude. More energy is needed to separate them, so the boiling point is higher.higher boiling point
- Write the answer. stronger forces between the longer molecules
Check. Chapter 5 discusses these forces. ✓
Method. Think about the uses.
- Uses. Different hydrocarbons have different uses.uses
- Conclude. Separating the fractions means each can be used for its purpose.purpose
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says the fractions have different uses, such as fuels and road surfacing.
Check. The mixture as a whole is not useful for most jobs. ✓
Method. Think about temperature.
- Temperature. The column is hotter at the bottom and cooler at the top.hotter at bottom
- Conclude. Each fraction condenses where the temperature falls to its boiling point.boiling point
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says each fraction condenses where its boiling point is reached, which depends on the temperature.
Check. Heavier fractions condense lower down. ✓
Alkanes and their properties
The alkanes are a homologous series: a family of compounds with the same general formula and similar chemical properties, where each member differs from the next by one CH2 unit. Their general formula is CnH2n+2. They are saturated: all their bonds are single bonds. The names are methane, ethane, propane, butane, pentane, hexane, heptane, octane, nonane and decane.
| Property | As chain length increases | Why |
|---|---|---|
| boiling point | increases | stronger forces between longer molecules |
| viscosity (how runny) | increases | longer molecules tangle more |
| flammability | decreases | larger molecules are harder to ignite |
| colour and state at room temperature | gas, then liquid, then solid | more energy needed to separate molecules |
Key ideas
- General formula of the alkanes: CnH2n+2.
- The prefix gives the number of carbons: meth- (1), eth- (2), prop- (3), but- (4), pent- (5).
- Boiling point, viscosity increase with chain length; flammability decreases.
- Alkanes are saturated: all single bonds.
Method. Use the general formula CnH2n+2 with n = 5.
- Substitute. H = 2 x 5 + 2.2 x 5 + 2
- Answer. H = 12, so the formula is C5H12.12
- Write the answer. 12
Check. Pentane is C5H12. ✓
Method. Propane has 3 carbons.
- Carbons. Propane is a 3-carbon alkane.C3
- Hydrogens. H = 2 x 3 + 2 = 8.H8
- Formula. So propane is C3H8.C3H8
- Write the answer. C3H8
Check. The prefix prop- means 3. ✓
Method. Compare the chain lengths.
- Compare. Octane has 8 carbons, butane has 4.8 and 4
- Decide. The longer chain has the higher boiling point.octane
- Write the answer. octane
Check. Longer chains have stronger forces. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: the general formula gives the number of hydrogens, not the number of carbons. For pentane, n = 5 and the formula is C5H12.
Exam tip
Exam tip. Learn the prefixes meth-, eth-, prop-, but-, pent-, hex- and their numbers: they tell you the number of carbons.
Exercise 15B Alkanes and their properties
Method. Recall the formula.
- Recall. The alkanes have the general formula CnH2n+2.CnH2n+2
- Write the answer. CnH2n+2
Check. For methane, n = 1, giving CH4. ✓
Method. One carbon, so 2 x 1 + 2 = 4 hydrogens.
- Count. n = 1 gives H = 4.H4
- Write the answer. CH4
Check. The formula is CH4. ✓
Method. Two carbons, so 2 x 2 + 2 = 6 hydrogens.
- Count. n = 2 gives H = 6.H6
- Write the answer. C2H6
Check. Ethane has 2 carbons. ✓
Method. The prefix hex- means 6.
- Recall. Hex- means six, so the alkane is hexane.hexane
- Write the answer. hexane
Check. Hexane is C6H14. ✓
Method. n = 6 gives 2 x 6 + 2 = 14.
- Count. H = 14.H14
- Write the answer. C6H14
Check. Hexane has 6 carbons and 14 hydrogens. ✓
Method. Dec- means ten.
- Recall. The prefix dec- means ten.decane
- Write the answer. decane
Check. Decane is C10H22. ✓
Method. Recall the definition.
- Recall. Saturated hydrocarbons have only single bonds.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Alkenes are unsaturated. ✓
Method. Recall the trend.
- Recall. Longer chains have stronger forces and higher boiling points.increase
- Write the answer. increase
Check. Viscosity also increases. ✓
Method. Recall the trend.
- Recall. Longer chains are less volatile and harder to ignite.decrease
- Write the answer. decrease
Check. Shorter alkanes burn more readily. ✓
Method. Use n = 7.
- Count. H = 2 x 7 + 2 = 16.16
- Formula. So the formula is C7H16.C7H16
- Write the answer. C7H16
Check. Heptane. ✓
Method. Substitute n = 8.
- Substitute. 2 x 8 + 2 = 18.18
- Decide. It fits, so the answer is yes.yes
- Write the answer. yes
Check. Octane is C8H18. ✓
Method. Think about the shape of the molecules.
- Shape. Longer molecules are more likely to tangle with each other.tangle
- Conclude. So they resist flowing, which means they are more viscous.more viscous
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says longer molecules tangle and resist flow more.
Check. Heavier fractions are thicker. ✓
Method. Think about the forces.
- Forces. Longer molecules have stronger intermolecular forces.stronger forces
- Conclude. More energy is needed to separate them, so the boiling point is higher.more energy
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says longer molecules have stronger intermolecular forces, which need more energy to overcome.
Check. Intermolecular forces are weak but add up. ✓
Combustion of hydrocarbons
When a hydrocarbon burns completely in plenty of oxygen, it forms carbon dioxide and water. When there is limited oxygen, the combustion is incomplete: it forms carbon monoxide, which is poisonous, and carbon (soot), as well as water. Incomplete combustion is dangerous in a closed space.
| Type | Equation (methane) | Products |
|---|---|---|
| complete (plenty of oxygen) | CH4 + 2O2 -> CO2 + 2H2O | carbon dioxide and water |
| incomplete (limited oxygen) | 2CH4 + 3O2 -> 2CO + 4H2O | carbon monoxide (toxic) and water; soot may form |
Key ideas
- Complete combustion: hydrocarbon + oxygen -> carbon dioxide + water.
- Incomplete combustion: limited oxygen; carbon monoxide and soot form.
- Carbon monoxide is poisonous because it binds to haemoglobin in the blood.
- Soot is carbon particles; it causes a yellow or smoky flame.
Method. Hydrocarbons burn completely to carbon dioxide and water.
- Reactants. Ethane and oxygen.ethane + oxygen
- Products. Carbon dioxide and water.carbon dioxide and water
- Write the answer. carbon dioxide and water
Check. Each C makes one CO2 and each 2 H make one H2O. ✓
Method. Recall the gas.
- Recall. Incomplete combustion forms carbon monoxide.carbon monoxide
- Decide. It is poisonous, so the answer is carbon monoxide.carbon monoxide
- Write the answer. carbon monoxide
Check. Carbon monoxide is colourless and odourless. ✓
Method. Balance the equation.
- Equation. CH4 + 2O2 -> CO2 + 2H2O.2O2
- Answer. So 2 O2 molecules are needed.2
- Write the answer. 2
Check. Four O atoms on each side. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: incomplete combustion does not mean the fuel is not burning. It burns, but it does not burn fully, so harmful products such as carbon monoxide are made.
Exam tip
Exam tip. When you name products of combustion, say complete (carbon dioxide and water) or incomplete (carbon monoxide, soot and water).
Exercise 15C Combustion of hydrocarbons
Method. Recall the products.
- Recall. Complete combustion gives carbon dioxide and water.carbon dioxide and water
- Write the answer. carbon dioxide and water
Check. Both are formed in full combustion. ✓
Method. Recall the gas.
- Recall. Incomplete combustion forms carbon monoxide.carbon monoxide
- Write the answer. carbon monoxide
Check. It is toxic. ✓
Method. Recall the solid.
- Recall. Carbon particles (soot) form when there is too little oxygen.soot
- Write the answer. soot
Check. Soot is carbon. ✓
Method. Recall the condition.
- Recall. Limited oxygen gives incomplete combustion.incomplete
- Write the answer. incomplete
Check. Complete combustion needs plenty of oxygen. ✓
Method. Balance the carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
- Balance. CH4 + 2O2 -> CO2 + 2H2O.2
- Write the answer. 2
Check. Four hydrogens, one carbon and four oxygens each side. ✓
Method. Check both products.
- Look. Water is made in both complete and incomplete combustion.water
- Decide. So the answer is water.water
- Write the answer. water
Check. Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide differ. ✓
Method. Read the number in front of CO.
- Read. The equation has 2CO, so 2 molecules.2
- Write the answer. 2
Check. Carbon is balanced: 2 C on each side. ✓
Method. Think about the blood.
- Binding. Carbon monoxide binds more strongly than oxygen to haemoglobin.binds
- Conclude. So less oxygen is carried around the body.less oxygen
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says it binds to haemoglobin in the blood, so less oxygen is carried.
Check. It has no smell and no colour, so it is hard to detect. ✓
Method. Think about oxygen.
- Oxygen. A good supply of oxygen is needed for complete combustion.oxygen
- Conclude. So ventilation reduces the carbon monoxide made.less carbon monoxide
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says ventilation brings in fresh air, so combustion is more complete and less carbon monoxide builds up.
Check. Safety warnings are important. ✓
Cracking and alkenes
Cracking breaks long-chain alkanes into shorter alkanes and alkenes, using heat and often a catalyst. The alkenes are useful for making polymers and other chemicals. Alkenes have the general formula CnH2n and contain a C=C double bond, so they are unsaturated. Ethene (C2H4) and propene (C3H6) are the first two.
| Test | Result with an alkene | Result with an alkane |
|---|---|---|
| bromine water (orange to colourless) | decolourises: the solution goes colourless | no change: stays orange |
Key ideas
- Cracking: long alkane -> shorter alkane + alkene; heat and a catalyst.
- Alkenes: general formula CnH2n; contain a C=C double bond.
- Test for an alkene: bromine water goes from orange to colourless.
- Alkenes are unsaturated; alkanes are saturated.
Method. Use the carbon and hydrogen numbers.
- Carbon. Decane has 10 C; octane has 8 C, so the other product has 2 C.2 C
- Hydrogen. Decane has 22 H; octane has 18 H, so the other product has 4 H.4 H
- Answer. The other product is C2H4, ethene.C2H4
- Write the answer. C2H4
Check. C10H22 = C8H18 + C2H4. ✓
Method. Recall the formula.
- Recall. Alkenes are CnH2n.CnH2n
- Check. Ethene (n = 2) is C2H4, which fits.C2H4
- Write the answer. CnH2n
Check. Alkanes have 2n + 2 hydrogens; alkenes have 2n. ✓
Method. Think about the test.
- Look. Bromine water is orange.orange
- Decide. An alkene decolourises bromine water, so the solution goes colourless.colourless
- Write the answer. it goes from orange to colourless
Check. An alkane does not change the colour. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: the double bond in an alkene is what reacts with bromine water. An alkane has only single bonds, so it does not decolourise bromine water.
Exam tip
Exam tip. For the bromine water test, give the colour change for the alkene and say the alkane shows no change.
Exercise 15D Cracking and alkenes
Method. Recall the definition.
- Recall. Cracking breaks long-chain alkanes into shorter molecules.breaking long chains
- Write the answer. breaking long alkanes into shorter alkanes and alkenes
Check. It uses heat and a catalyst. ✓
Method. Think about demand.
- Recall. Petrol and short chains are in more demand than the heavy fractions.more demand
- Write the answer. there is more demand for short-chain fractions than for long ones
Check. Cracking balances supply and demand. ✓
Method. Recall the formula.
- Recall. Alkenes have the formula CnH2n.CnH2n
- Write the answer. CnH2n
Check. Ethene is C2H4. ✓
Method. Use n = 2.
- Count. H = 2 x 2 = 4.H4
- Write the answer. C2H4
Check. The smallest alkene. ✓
Method. Recall the feature.
- Recall. An alkene has a C=C double bond.double bond
- Write the answer. carbon-carbon double bond
Check. Alkanes have only single bonds. ✓
Method. Recall the colour.
- Recall. Bromine water is orange.orange
- Write the answer. orange
Check. It turns colourless with an alkene. ✓
Method. Recall the test result.
- Recall. The alkene decolourises the bromine water.colourless
- Write the answer. colourless
Check. This is the test for a double bond. ✓
Method. Recall the definition.
- Recall. Alkenes have a double bond, so they are unsaturated.unsaturated
- Write the answer. unsaturated
Check. Alkanes are saturated. ✓
Method. Subtract the carbon and hydrogen.
- Carbon. 8 - 4 = 4 C.C4
- Hydrogen. 18 - 8 = 10 H.H10
- Formula. So the other product is C4H10, butane.C4H10
- Write the answer. C4H10
Check. C8H18 = C4H8 + C4H10. ✓
Method. Find the other product: 10 - 6 = 4 carbons; hydrogens 22 - 12 = 10.
- Carbon. 10 - 6 = 4 carbons.C4
- Hydrogen. The alkene C6H12 takes 12 H, so 22 - 12 = 10 H.H10
- Formula. So the alkane is C4H10.C4H10
- Write the answer. C4H10
Check. Check: C6H12 + C4H10 = C10H22. ✓
Method. Think about the bonds.
- Bond. The double bond contains a pair that can be used in addition reactions.addition
- Conclude. So alkenes react with other substances more readily than alkanes.more reactive
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says the C=C double bond can open up to react with other atoms.
Check. This is why alkenes are useful for making polymers. ✓
Method. Check the direction.
- Direction. Cracking starts with long alkanes, not alkenes.long alkanes
- Conclude. It produces shorter alkanes and alkenes.shorter
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says cracking breaks long alkanes to make shorter alkanes and alkenes.
Check. The alkenes are the products, not the reactants. ✓
Addition reactions and structure [H]
[H] Higher tier only. In an addition reaction, a small molecule adds across the C=C double bond, so the product is saturated. Examples: ethene + hydrogen -> ethane (nickel catalyst); ethene + steam -> ethanol (high temperature and pressure, catalyst); ethene + bromine -> 1,2-dibromoethane.
Key ideas
- Addition: atoms add across the C=C double bond; no other product.
- Ethene + hydrogen -> ethane (nickel catalyst).
- Ethene + steam -> ethanol (catalyst, high temperature and pressure).
- Ethene + bromine -> 1,2-dibromoethane; this is also the bromine water test.
Method. Add H2 across the double bond.
- Reactants. Ethene and hydrogen.ethene + hydrogen
- Product. The product is ethane, C2H6.ethane
- Write the answer. ethane
Check. C2H4 + H2 gives C2H6. ✓
Method. Add H2O across the double bond.
- Adding. C2H4 + H2O.C2H4 + H2O
- Product. The product is ethanol, C2H5OH, which is C2H6O.C2H6O
- Write the answer. C2H6O
Check. Ethanol is made by hydration of ethene. ✓
Method. Add Br2 across the double bond.
- Adding. C2H4 + Br2.C2H4 + Br2
- Product. The product is 1,2-dibromoethane.1,2-dibromoethane
- Write the answer. 1,2-dibromoethane
Check. It is a colourless liquid. ✓
Watch out
Watch out: addition products are saturated. Do not write a double bond in the product of an addition reaction.
Exam tip
Exam tip. For an addition question, add the small molecule to each carbon of the double bond.
Exercise 15E Addition reactions and structure [H]
Method. Recall the addition product.
- Recall. Hydrogen adds across the double bond to give ethane.ethane
- Write the answer. ethane
Check. Ethane is saturated. ✓
Method. Recall the catalyst.
- Recall. Nickel is the catalyst used for hydrogenation.nickel
- Write the answer. nickel
Check. Nickel is a transition metal. ✓
Method. Recall the product.
- Recall. Ethene and steam make ethanol.ethanol
- Write the answer. ethanol
Check. Ethanol is an alcohol. ✓
Method. Recall the product.
- Recall. Bromine adds across the double bond to form 1,2-dibromoethane.1,2-dibromoethane
- Write the answer. 1,2-dibromoethane
Check. This addition is the bromine water test. ✓
Method. Recall the product type.
- Recall. The double bond is used up, so the product is saturated.saturated
- Write the answer. saturated
Check. Addition removes the double bond. ✓
Method. Add H2 to C2H4.
- Add. C2H4 + H2 = C2H6.C2H6
- Write the answer. C2H6
Check. Ethane. ✓
Method. Add Br2 to C2H4.
- Add. C2H4 + Br2 = C2H4Br2.C2H4Br2
- Write the answer. C2H4Br2
Check. Two bromine atoms. ✓
Method. Think about the bonds.
- Bonds. The double bond opens and the carbons bond to the added atoms.opens
- Conclude. So the product has only single bonds, which is saturated.single bonds
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says the double bond is replaced by single bonds with the added atoms.
Check. Alkanes are saturated. ✓
Method. Compare the molecules.
- Ethene. Ethene has a double bond that can open.double bond
- Ethane. Ethane is saturated and cannot add steam.cannot add
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says ethene has a double bond that can react with steam, while ethane cannot add water.
Check. Ethanol is made this way industrially. ✓
Chapter summary
| Skill | Method |
|---|---|
| Crude oil | A mixture of hydrocarbons; separated by fractional distillation by boiling point. |
| Alkanes | CnH2n+2; saturated; trends: boiling point and viscosity rise, flammability falls. |
| Combustion | Complete: CO2 and H2O; incomplete: CO and soot. |
| Cracking | Long alkane -> shorter alkane + alkene; heat and catalyst. |
| Alkenes | CnH2n; C=C double bond; decolourise bromine water. |
| [H] Addition | Atoms add across the C=C double bond; product is saturated. |
Can you…?
- I can describe fractional distillation of crude oil and the uses of the fractions
- I can use the general formula of the alkanes and describe their trends
- I can write equations for complete and incomplete combustion
- I can explain cracking and identify an alkene by the bromine water test
- [H] I can write word equations for addition reactions of alkenes
Key terms
- hydrocarbon
- a compound made only of carbon and hydrogen
- fraction
- a group of hydrocarbons with similar boiling points, separated from crude oil
- homologous series
- a family of compounds with the same general formula and similar properties
- saturated
- a hydrocarbon with only single bonds
- unsaturated
- a hydrocarbon with at least one double bond
- cracking
- breaking long-chain alkanes into shorter alkanes and alkenes
- addition reaction
- [H] a reaction in which a small molecule adds across a double bond
Exercise 15Z Check-up
Method. n = 8 gives H = 2 x 8 + 2 = 18.
- Count. H = 18.H18
- Write the answer. C8H18
Check. Octane is an alkane. ✓
Method. Recall the formula.
- Recall. Alkenes are CnH2n.CnH2n
- Write the answer. CnH2n
Check. Ethene is C2H4. ✓
Method. Recall the process.
- Recall. Fractional distillation separates crude oil by boiling point.fractional distillation
- Write the answer. fractional distillation
Check. It uses a column. ✓
Method. Recall the test.
- Recall. Bromine water goes from orange to colourless with an alkene.orange to colourless
- Write the answer. orange to colourless
Check. An alkane does not change colour. ✓
Method. Recall the gas.
- Recall. Carbon monoxide is poisonous.carbon monoxide
- Write the answer. carbon monoxide
Check. It is formed with limited oxygen. ✓
Method. Recall the process.
- Recall. Cracking breaks long-chain alkanes.cracking
- Write the answer. cracking
Check. It uses heat and a catalyst. ✓
Method. Subtract the alkane from decane.
- Carbon. 10 - 5 = 5 C.C5
- Hydrogen. 22 - 12 = 10 H.H10
- Formula. So the alkene is C5H10.C5H10
- Write the answer. C5H10
Check. C5H10 is an alkene since 2 x 5 = 10. ✓
Method. Recall the product.
- Recall. Ethene and steam make ethanol.ethanol
- Write the answer. ethanol
Check. This is an addition reaction. ✓
Method. Think about the forces.
- Forces. Shorter molecules have weaker intermolecular forces.weaker
- Conclude. Less energy is needed to separate them, so the boiling point is lower.lower
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says shorter molecules have weaker intermolecular forces.
Check. Longer chains give higher boiling points. ✓
Method. Think about the hydrogen.
- Hydrogen. Hydrocarbons contain hydrogen as well as carbon.hydrogen
- Conclude. The hydrogen combines with oxygen to form water.water
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says the hydrogen in the hydrocarbon is oxidised to water.
Check. Both carbon and hydrogen are oxidised. ✓
Total 21 marks. Allow about 21 minutes.
Exercise 15X Exam-style questions
Method. Recall the fraction and its position.
- Fraction. Kerosene is used as jet fuel.kerosene
- Position. It has a lower boiling point than diesel, so it condenses higher up than diesel and fuel oil.higher up
- Write the answer. kerosene, near the top
Check. Kerosene is a middle fraction. ✓
Method. Use the general formula with n = 4.
- General. The general formula is CnH2n+2.CnH2n+2
- Butane. With n = 4, H = 2 x 4 + 2 = 10, so C4H10.C4H10
- Write the answer. CnH2n+2, C4H10
Check. Butane. ✓
Method. Think about the product and its effect.
- Product. Incomplete combustion produces carbon monoxide, which is poisonous.carbon monoxide
- Effect. It binds to haemoglobin, so less oxygen is carried around the body.haemoglobin
- Write the answer. Accept any answer that says carbon monoxide is made, which is poisonous and binds to haemoglobin.
Check. It is colourless and odourless. ✓
Method. Recall the test.
- Reagent. Bromine water is orange.orange
- Result. An alkene decolourises it, so the solution becomes colourless.colourless
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says orange bromine water turns colourless with an alkene.
Check. An alkane does not change the colour. ✓
Method. Think about supply and demand.
- Demand. There is high demand for petrol and short-chain molecules.demand
- Supply. Cracking makes shorter alkanes and alkenes from the heavy fraction.cracking makes
- Write the answer. Accept any answer that says there is more demand for short-chain molecules than the heavy fraction provides, and cracking makes useful alkanes and alkenes.
Check. Alkenes are used for making polymers. ✓
Method. Recall the products.
- Carbon. Carbon dioxide is formed.carbon dioxide
- Hydrogen. Water is formed.water
- Write the answer. carbon dioxide, water
Check. Complete combustion has plenty of oxygen. ✓
Method. Add Br2 across the double bond.
- Reactants. Ethene and bromine.ethene + bromine
- Product. The product is 1,2-dibromoethane.1,2-dibromoethane
- Write the answer. 1,2-dibromoethane
Check. This is an addition reaction. ✓
Method. Use 5 carbons each.
- Alkane. The alkane with 5 carbons is C5H12.C5H12
- Alkene. The alkene with 5 carbons is C5H10.C5H10
- Check. C5H12 + C5H10 = C10H22.balanced
- Write the answer. C5H12, C5H10
Check. The atoms balance. ✓
Method. Compare the chains.
- Chains. Pentane has 5 carbons and butane has 4.5 and 4
- Conclude. The longer chain has stronger intermolecular forces, so a higher boiling point.higher boiling point
- Write the answer. Accept any sentence that says pentane has a longer chain and stronger intermolecular forces.
Check. Pentane is a liquid at room temperature; butane is a gas. ✓