cracking

Question 1

thermal cracking conditions and products

Answer 1

uses harsh conditions such as high temperatures and high pressure
breaks alkenes in to a large percentage of alkanes and comparitively few alkenes
done at about 1000C and 70 atm pressure

Question 2

what is cracking and why do we do it

Answer 2

the process of converting alkanes into alkenes and shorter alkanes. We crack alkanes because the shorter chain alkanes are more valuable (they are used as fuel).

Question 3

catalytic cracking
why we do it
conditions
products

Answer 3

using a catalyst allows you to lower the temperature and pressure for reaction. this reduces costs and makes reaction faster.
Catalytic cracking is done at 450C and only just above atmospheric pressure
The catalyst we use is called a zeolite. This is an ionic compound containing aluminium, silicon, and oxygen.
You tend to get molecules containing benzene rings and short hydrocarbons.