Crude
oil is a mixture of hydrocarbons, which are
molecules made from carbon and hydrogen atoms only. Different
hydrocarbons have different properties, including different boiling points, so they can be separated by
fractional distillation. A process called cracking allows large hydrocarbon molecules to be broken down into
smaller hydrocarbon molecules. The smaller molecules are more useful as fuels and some of them can be used to make polymers. Common
polymers include polyethene, used for plastic bags, and polypropene, used for ropes. It can be difficult to dispose of polymers. How crude oil was formed Hydrocarbons
distillation and fractional distillation Fractional distillation of oil Combustion Cracking Polymers .
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