# Describe the differences between catalytic cracking and steam cracking. In your answer, include the conditions used in each process and the types of products formed.

> AQA A-Level Chemistry (7405) — 3.3.15 NMR spectroscopy (A-Level only) · Describe · 5 marks

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Catalytic cracking uses a hot powdered aluminium oxide catalyst
2. In catalytic cracking, the hydrocarbon is heated to vaporise it / turned into a gas before passing over the catalyst
3. Steam cracking involves mixing hydrocarbon vapour with steam and heating to a very high temperature
4. Both processes produce smaller alkane molecules as products
5. Both processes also produce alkenes, which are unsaturated hydrocarbons with at least one carbon-carbon double bond

## Key terms

- [catalytic cracking](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/catalytic-cracking)
- [steam cracking](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/steam-cracking)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA A-Level Chemistry (7405)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/describe-the-differences-between-catalytic-cracking-e4252f16) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.