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Cracking is the name given to breaking up large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller and more useful bits. This is achieved by using high pressures and temperatures without a catalyst, or lower temperatures and pressures in the presence of a catalyst.

The source of the large hydrocarbon molecules is often the naphtha fraction or the gas oil fraction from the fractional distillation of crude oil (petroleum). These fractions are obtained from the distillation process as liquids, but are re-vaporised before cracking.

There isn't any single unique reaction happening in the cracker. The hydrocarbon molecules are broken up in a fairly random way to produce mixtures of smaller hydrocarbons, some of which have carbon-carbon double bonds. One possible reaction involving the hydrocarbon C15H32 might be:

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Why is porous pot catalyst used in cracking hydrocarbons?

The 'porous pot' that is used in a lab, is used to facilitate the cracking process during heating, the porous pot is used as a catalyst to speed up the cracking process. This allows for the process to occur at a lower temperature.


What are the two necessary conditions for cracking to take place?

The two necessary conditions for cracking to take place are high temperature and presence of a catalyst. High temperature allows for the breaking of chemical bonds in the hydrocarbon molecules, while the catalyst accelerates the cracking reaction by providing an alternative pathway with lower activation energy.


Why is aluminium oxide used whilst carrying out cracking reactions in a laboratory?

Aluminium oxide is used as a catalyst support in cracking reactions because it provides a high surface area for the catalytic reaction to occur, improves heat distribution, and helps in the absorption and desorption of reactants and products. Additionally, the polar nature of aluminium oxide can also enhance the interaction between the catalyst and reactants, leading to increased efficiency in the cracking process.


What are the conditions used for cracking in science?

In science, cracking typically refers to breaking down larger hydrocarbon molecules into smaller ones. The conditions used for cracking involve high temperatures (500-900°C) and a catalyst such as zeolite to accelerate the reaction. This process is important in the petrochemical industry for producing fuels like gasoline.


What type of reaction involves oxygen and produces light and heat decomposition reaction double replacement reaction combustion reaction or combination reation?

The type of reaction that involves oxygen and produces light and heat is a combustion reaction.

Related Questions

What type of reaction is cracking an example of?

Thermal Decomposition


Which is reaction involves a carbonium ion intermediate?

Carbonium ions can be formed during petroleum cracking.


Is cracking hydrocarbon molecules an endothermic or exothermic reaction?

Cracking hydrocarbon molecules is an endothermic reaction. This process requires energy input to break the chemical bonds in larger hydrocarbon molecules, resulting in smaller molecules, such as alkanes and alkenes. The energy absorbed during cracking exceeds the energy released from the formation of the new bonds in the products, making it endothermic.


Cracking is to breaking as kettle is to what?

Boiling. Just as cracking is a type of breaking, kettle is a type of device used for boiling water or other liquid.


Why is porous pot catalyst used in cracking hydrocarbons?

The 'porous pot' that is used in a lab, is used to facilitate the cracking process during heating, the porous pot is used as a catalyst to speed up the cracking process. This allows for the process to occur at a lower temperature.


What type fo reaction is a vilsmeier reaction?

It is a formylation reaction.


What is the process in which large hydrocarbons are converted into smaller hydrocrabons which provide fuel?

The process is called cracking, where high-molecular-weight hydrocarbons are broken down into smaller molecules. This can be done through thermal cracking (heating the hydrocarbons at high temperatures) or catalytic cracking (using a catalyst to speed up the reaction). The smaller hydrocarbons produced, such as gasoline and diesel, are important components of fuels.


Type of photosynthetic reaction depends on sunlight?

Type of photosynthetic reaction depends on sunlight is called light reaction.


What are the two necessary conditions for cracking to take place?

The two necessary conditions for cracking to take place are high temperature and presence of a catalyst. High temperature allows for the breaking of chemical bonds in the hydrocarbon molecules, while the catalyst accelerates the cracking reaction by providing an alternative pathway with lower activation energy.


If you have a forward reaction and reverse reaction occurring together what type of reaction is that?

reversible reaction


How do you spell cracking?

Cracking is correct, as in cracking an egg.


How is the cracking reaction made faster?

Cracking is a process used in chemistry to break large molecules .It is also called pyrolysis . It produces small molecular wt. compounds . Most chemical reactions are increased by temp, it is already exothermic hence there is no need to enhance it , it would become dangerous and resultant molecules would change. Hence it is not proper to make it faster .