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The processing of crude oil by the petrochemical industry can be shown by different experiments - OCR Gateway - GCSE Chemistry Combined Science - Question 12 - 2022 - Paper 1
Question 12
The processing of crude oil by the petrochemical industry can be shown by different experiments. The diagram shows how crude oil can be separated into its fractions... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The processing of crude oil by the petrochemical industry can be shown by different experiments - OCR Gateway - GCSE Chemistry Combined Science - Question 12 - 2022 - Paper 1
Step 1
Step 2
Explain how a fraction is separated and collected in the experiment.
Answer
In fractional distillation, the crude oil is heated in a boiling tube until it vaporizes. As the vapors rise through the column, they cool down at different heights depending on their boiling points. At certain temperatures, different fractions condense and are collected. For example, lighter fractions with lower boiling points condense at the top of the column, while heavier fractions remain liquid and are collected from lower down.
Step 3
How could the experiment be improved so this fraction is collected?
Answer
To collect the fraction with a boiling point of about 10°C, the temperature control of the experimental setup could be improved. This can be achieved by ensuring the apparatus is capable of accurately maintaining the required low-temperature range, potentially using a more efficient condenser or cooling system to prevent the lighter fractions from escaping or not condensing adequately.