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Fuels - EdexcelCrude oil and hydrocarbons

Crude oil is a finite resource. Petrol and other fuels are produced from it using fractional distillation and cracking. Combustion products may cause environmental and health problems.

Part of Chemistry (Single Science)Fuels and Earth science

Crude oil and hydrocarbons

are that contain hydrogen and carbon only.

Crude oil

is a that is a complex of hydrocarbons. The carbon atoms in these molecules are joined together in chains and rings. In the ball and stick models of simple hydrocarbons below, carbon atoms are black and hydrogen atoms are white.

Two examples of hydrocarbon molecule chains.
Figure caption,
Some examples of hydrocarbon molecules

Crude oil is a because it forms extremely slowly over millions of years and cannot quickly be replaced. However, crude oil is an important source of:

  • for the industry

A feedstock is a raw material used to provide reactants for an industrial reaction. A petrochemical is a substance made from crude oil using chemical reactions. For example, ethene is produced from crude oil. It is used as feedstock to make poly(ethene), a .