Crude Oil and Hydrocarbons: AQA GCSE Chemistry Revision

Overview

• Crude oil is a finite resource derived from ancient marine organisms.
• It is a mixture of hydrocarbons, primarily alkanes, used for fuel and as a feedstock in the petrochemical industry.

Key Concepts

Hydrocarbons

• Definition: Compounds made exclusively of hydrogen and carbon atoms.
• Properties: Formed by carbon atoms joined in chains or rings.

Crude Oil

• Formation: Originates from ancient plankton buried in mud millions of years ago.
• Composition: A complex mixture of hydrocarbons.
• Uses:
  • Fuels: Petrol, diesel, kerosene, heavy fuel oil, and liquefied petroleum gases.
  • Feedstock: Raw material for the petrochemical industry to produce various substances.

Applications

• Petrochemicals: Substances like ethene derived from crude oil, used in making polymers like poly(ethene).
• Other Products:
  • Solvents: Liquids that dissolve other substances to form solutions.
  • Lubricants: Substances that reduce friction between surfaces.
  • Detergents: Chemicals with cleaning properties, capable of dissolving grease.

Additional Resources

• More Organic Chemistry - AQA
• Sample Exam Questions - Organic Chemistry - AQA

Related Topics

• Chemistry exam practices, careers in chemistry, and additional study resources available through Bitesize and related links.