Are larger hydrocarbons better fuels?

Smaller hydrocarbons make better fuels as they are easier to ignite. However, crude oil contains a lot of longer chain hydrocarbons. To break a longer chain hydrocarbon down into a smaller one we use a process known as cracking.

Why are larger hydrocarbons less useful?

Crude oil often contains too many large hydrocarbon molecules and not enough small hydrocarbon molecules. Cracking allows large hydrocarbon molecules to be broken down into smaller, more useful hydrocarbon molecules. Fractions containing large hydrocarbon molecules are heated to vaporise them.

What is the most useful hydrocarbon?

fuel
The most important use of hydrocarbons is for fuel. Gasoline, natural gas, fuel oil, diesel fuel, jet fuel, coal, kerosene, and propane are just some of the commonly used hydrocarbon fuels. Hydrocarbons are also used to make things, including plastics and synthetic fabrics such as polyester.

Are larger hydrocarbons more or less flammable than smaller hydrocarbons?

All hydrocarbon molecules have very strong chemical bonds between atoms. Longer hydrocarbon molecules have a stronger intermolecular force. More energy is needed to move them apart so they have higher boiling points . This makes them less volatile and therefore less flammable .

Why do hydrocarbons make good fuels?

Hydrocarbons are organic molecules consisting entirely of carbon and hydrogen. They make good fuels because their covalent bonds store a large amount of energy, which is released when the molecules are burned (i.e., when they react with oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water).

Why are hydrocarbons used as fuels?

Hydrocarbons are naturally-occurring compounds and form the basis of crude oil, natural gas, coal, and other important energy sources. Hydrocarbons are highly combustible and produce carbon dioxide, water, and heat when they are burned. Therefore, hydrocarbons are highly effective as a source of fuel.

Why are longer hydrocarbons more viscous?

As the number of carbon atoms increases in hydrocarbons, the viscosity gradually increases – this is due to the intermolecular forces of attraction being greater for longer chains and a higher chance of chains entangling.

What two things are required to break down the large hydrocarbons to smaller more useful molecules?

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.

Why are hydrocarbons important in our lives?

Hydrocarbons are the principal constituents of petroleum and natural gas. They serve as fuels and lubricants as well as raw materials for the production of plastics, fibres, rubbers, solvents, explosives, and industrial chemicals.

Are larger hydrocarbons more viscous?

Why do hydrocarbons make good fuels quizlet?

Give two examples of fossil fuels. as fuels, although they do have other uses too. Hydrocarbons with small molecules make better fuels than hydrocarbons with large molecules because. they are volatile, flow easily and are easily ignited.

Why are hydrocarbons useful?

The most important use of hydrocarbons is for fuel. Gasoline, natural gas, fuel oil, diesel fuel, jet fuel, coal, kerosene, and propane are just some of the commonly used hydrocarbon fuels. Hydrocarbons are also used to make things, including plastics and synthetic fabrics such as polyester.

What are the most abundant hydrocarbons in crude oil?

Larger hydrocarbons are the most abundant compounds found within crude oil, however the smaller hydrocarbons like petrol are the ones with the highest demand. By cracking larger hydrocarbons oil companies can produce larger amounts of the smaller fractions, from exactly the same amount of crude oil, saving them money and resources.

What is the smallest hydrocarbon used as a fuel?

Even the smallest hydrocarbon, methane, CH4, can be used as fuel (CNG, compressed natural gas) provided it is transported at a few thousand pounds pressure, which needs a large, somewhat expensive tank, else it can be liquified and moved around in a cryogenic tank.

Why are hydrocarbons used to make alkenes?

To make alkenes, to make alkenes with smaller molecules, to make fuels that are more useful or for which there is more demand.Large hydrocarbons do not burn easily or are less in demand Are hydrocarbons used as fuel? Yes, hydrocarbons are used as fuels.

Why is it important to crack hydrocarbons?

Cracking hydrocarbons is very important because in order to power our cars and warm our homes we have to use crude oil which is cracked into smaller hydrocarbons which make diesel and petrol and other types of fuels for our homes and environment. Why long hydrocarbons do not make good fuels?