4bOrganic Chemistry
Crude oil — Edexcel Modular - OL (Chemistry) Revision Notes & Topical Questions
5 min read 7 parts Lesson 2 of 8 2 quizzes
Lesson summary
Crude oil Edexcel O Level Modular Chemistry notes: know that crude oil is a mixture of hydrocarbonsCracking meets demand for smaller fuels and makes alkenes.Plastics cause pollution because they are non-biodegradable.Recycling and biodegradable polymers reduce waste.know that cru…
- Crude oil Edexcel O Level Modular Chemistry: what to do next
- Fractional distillation
- Addition polymer
- Condensation polymer
- Give / State / Name
- Evaluate / Assess
Section 1 of 7Process & sequence
1
Crude oil heated
2
Vapour rises up column
3
Cooler at top
4
Fractions condense at different heights
Polymers
Poly(ethene) – bags
Poly(propene) – crates
PVC – pipes
Nylon – clothing (condensation)
Section 2 of 7Keep going
Crude oil Edexcel O Level Modular Chemistry: what to do next
These Crude oil Edexcel O Level Modular Chemistry notes covered the key ideas, worked examples and exam technique for this topic. Check your Crude oil Edexcel O Level Modular Chemistry understanding with the practice questions below, then reread any Crude oil Edexcel O Level Modular Chemistry point you were unsure about before moving on.
2
Previous lesson: 4a Introduction — Notes
3
Next lesson: 4c Alkanes — Notes
5
Official syllabus: Pearson Edexcel International GCSEs
Section 3 of 7Compare
| Fraction | Carbon atoms | Boiling point | Viscosity | Flammability | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refinery gas | 1–4 | Lowest | Lowest | Highest | Bottled gas |
| Petrol (gasoline) | 5–10 | Low | Low | High | Car fuel |
| Naphtha | 8–12 | — | — | — | Chemicals, cracking |
| Kerosene | 10–16 | Medium | Medium | Medium | Jet fuel |
| Diesel | 14–20 | Higher | Higher | Lower | Lorries, trains |
| Fuel oil | 20–40 | High | High | Low | Ships, power stations |
| Bitumen | > 50 | Highest | Highest | Lowest | Roads, roofing |
Section 4 of 7Key terms
Section 5 of 7Syllabus checklist
1
know that crude oil is a mixture of hydrocarbons
2
describe how the industrial process of fractional distillation separates crude oil into fractions
3
know the names and uses of the main fractions obtained from crude oil
- refinery gases
- gasoline
- kerosene, diesel
- fuel oil and bitumen
4
know the trend in colour, boiling point and viscosity of the main fractions
5
know that a fuel is a substance that, when burned, releases heat energy
6
know the possible products of complete and incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons with oxygen in the air
7
understand why carbon monoxide is poisonous, in terms of its effect on the capacity of blood to transport oxygen references to haemoglobin are not required
8
know that, in car engines, the temperature reached is high enough to allow nitrogen and oxygen from air to react, forming oxides of nitrogen
9
explain how the combustion of some impurities in hydrocarbon fuels results in the formation of sulfur dioxide
10
understand how sulfur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen contribute to acid rain describe how long-chain alkanes are converted to alkenes and shorter-chain alkanes by catalytic cracking (using silica or alumina as the catalyst and a temperature in the range of 600-700-C)
11
explain why cracking is necessary, in terms of the balance between supply and demand for different fractions
Section 6 of 7Command terms
Command terms
Give / State / Name
Recall a fact; one idea per mark.
Define
Give the exact meaning using the specification keywords.
Describe
Give an account of what happens / the pattern in data, quoting values; no reasons needed.
Explain
Give reasons with linked statements (cause → effect). Each linked step is usually a separate marking point.
Suggest
Use knowledge in a new context; more than one answer may be accepted.
Compare
Similarities and differences; each point must refer to both items.
Calculate
Show working; include units; check significant figures. Method marks are given even if the final answer is wrong.
Discuss
Explore the issue from different angles and link the points.
Evaluate / Assess
Weigh strengths and weaknesses and reach a supported judgement.
Deduce
Draw a conclusion from the information given.
Justify
Support a statement/choice with evidence.
Section 7 of 7Exam technique
Keywords the mark scheme looks for in this lesson
Keywords the mark scheme looks for in this lesson
Crude oil · Fractional distillation · Fraction · Cracking · Addition polymer · Condensation polymer · Monomer · Non-biodegradable
Learn each definition in the Key words tab exactly; a missing keyword in a definition usually loses the mark.
How to get full marks (examiner guidance)
How to get full marks (examiner guidance)
Use specification keywords exactly (e.g. electronegativity, nucleophile, dynamic equilibrium, activation energy).
Link ideas
Link ideas for “explain” each marking point is usually a cause → consequence step; unlinked facts often score nothing.
Use the information in the question
“discuss/evaluate” answers must use the data provided and match the number of marks.
Convert units carefully (mg → g, cm³ → dm³) and show working for calculations.
Avoid vague words
“it”, “stuff”, “things”, “goes up”, “energy is made”. Name the substance and the process.
Do not extrapolate a graph line beyond the data or to zero unless asked.
Six-mark extended responses are marked on content AND a logical, linked line of reasoning.
Marked practiceQuizzes for this lesson
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