# Explain why cracking is an important industrial process for the oil industry.

> OCR GCSE Chemistry A: Gateway Science (J248) — C6.1 Improving processes and products · Explain · 4 marks

> Crude oil is separated by fractional distillation into fractions. However, some fractions are in much greater demand than others, and the oil industry must find ways to meet this demand.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Long-chain hydrocarbons / large molecules are in low demand (or there is a surplus of large/heavy fractions)
2. Cracking breaks (long-chain) hydrocarbons into smaller, more useful molecules
3. Smaller hydrocarbons such as petrol / diesel / fuels are in higher demand (accept named short-chain alkane fraction)
4. Cracking also produces alkenes which can be used as monomers (for plastics / polymers) or as feedstocks for other chemicals

## Key terms

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

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR GCSE Chemistry A: Gateway Science (J248)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-cracking-is-an-important-f43b6769) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.