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This question is misguided. Crude oil is first processed by heating it, which separates it into simpler mixtures called fractions which are of considerably more use than the original crude. This process is called fractional distillation, but it is NOT breaking anything down, merely sorting out substances which are already there. Some of the fractions, often those with higher boiling points may be broken down by cracking, a chemical process which also uses heat, often with a catalyst, and which produces smaller molecules such as those of petrol and ethene.

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7y ago

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