Chemistry Topic Practice
Cracking and Alkenes | GCSE Chemistry Practice
Cracking breaks down large, less useful hydrocarbons into smaller, high-demand molecules.
Why is cracking necessary in the oil industry?
What is Cracking and Alkenes | Practice?
"The thermal decomposition of long-chain hydrocarbons into shorter, more useful alkanes and alkenes."
Breaking Chains
Thermal cracking: Uses high temperature and a catalyst.
Steam cracking: Uses high temperature and steam.
Produces shorter alkanes (for fuels) and alkenes (for plastics).
Alkenes are unsaturated (contain a C=C double bond).
Exam Tip
The Double Bond: Alkenes are at least twice as reactive as alkanes because of their double bond.
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