Explain why crude oil is described as a finite resource and outline why this is a concern for society.

Edexcel GCSE Chemistry (1CH0) — 10.1 Crude oil, hydrocarbons and alkanes (Chem only) · Explain · 4 marks · View as Markdown

Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).

Crude oil is one of the most important raw materials used by modern society. It is the source of fuels and many other useful chemical products.

Model answer (4 marks)

Crude oil is a finite resource because it was formed over millions of years from the remains of ancient organisms such as marine plankton. The rate at which it is extracted and used by industry and transport is far greater than the rate at which new oil is formed, so the existing stocks will eventually be depleted.

The main concern for society is that crude oil is the primary source of fuels – petrol, diesel and kerosene – which power most of our transport and many industrial processes. If oil supplies run out, the supply of these fuels would fall, disrupting transport, energy supply and the economy.

In addition, crude oil is the feedstock for a wide range of chemical products such as plastics, polymers, medicines and solvents. A shortage of oil would therefore limit the production of these essential materials, affecting everyday life and many industries.

Examiner tips

  • Use the word ‘finite’ and explain the long formation time. Show the imbalance between consumption and formation. Mention fuels first, then other products. Keep each point concise to fit the 4 marks.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing oil with natural gas or not mentioning the long formation period. Failing to link oil to both fuels and other products. Using vague terms like ‘scarce’ instead of ‘finite’.

Mark scheme (4 marks)

  1. Crude oil formed over millions of years from the remains of ancient organisms (e.g. marine organisms/plankton)
  2. It is being used/consumed faster than it is being formed/replaced, so stocks will eventually run out
  3. Society depends on crude oil as the main source of fuels (e.g. petrol, diesel, kerosene) so running out would affect transport/energy supply
  4. Crude oil is also the feedstock for making other useful products such as plastics/polymers/medicines/solvents, so these would also be unavailable

Key terms in this question

finite resource · crude oil

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