Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry · Spec 4.17-4.18
Cracking
How cracking breaks long hydrocarbons into shorter, more useful ones.
Chemistry revision video
Cracking
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Spec 4.17-4.18
What you need to know
- Explain why we crack hydrocarbons
- Describe what cracking does, and the conditions it needs
- Write an example of a cracking reaction
Active recall
Quick check
Answer each question before opening the answer.
What is cracking?
Breaking long-chain alkanes into shorter, more useful alkanes and alkenes.
Why is cracking useful?
It turns less useful long chains into short-chain fuels (high demand) and alkenes for making polymers.
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