Let's get cracking! But, what is hydrocarbon cracking? Chemistry scholars learn the how and why of a process that involves breaking long-chain alkanes down into smaller alkanes and an alkene. The narrator shows both common methods, as well as the variety of useful products the process makes.

Concepts

organic chemistry, hydrocarbons, alkanes, alkenes, crude oil, balancing chemical equations, temperature, pressure, catalysts

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• The resource can help to extend a lesson on hydrocarbon chemistry
• Group class members and assign research around the topic of hydrocarbon cracking and the pros and cons of the two methods shown in the video

Classroom Considerations

• Requires prior knowledge of alkane and alkene chemistry and their nomenclature 

Pros

• The resource reinforces prior knowledge of the conservation of mass, balanced chemical equations, and use of catalysts
• Animation helps pupils link the original long-chain alkane to the variety of products that can result from cracking

Cons

• None