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Crude oil and hydrocarbons test with answers for GCSE chemistry (free PDF download)

Quick answer: Crude oil is a mixture of hydrocarbons separated by fractional distillation into fractions with different chain lengths and boiling points. This Chemistry 9-10 test on crude oil and hydrocarbons has 8 questions worth 20 marks, to do in 40 minutes: separating crude oil, formulae of hydrocarbons and combustion of butane. The mark scheme is on a separate page; free printable PDF.

Crude oil and hydrocarbons test with answers for GCSE chemistry (free PDF download)

This test covers fractional distillation, the formulae of alkanes and alkenes, combustion, cracking and the bromine water test. Answer all the questions without notes. Show your working in the calculation and write chemical equations with correct formulae.

Level: Chemistry grades 9-10 (GCSE · IGCSE · O Level · Class 9-10) · Curriculum: GCSE C7

Time: 40 minutes · 8 questions · Total: 20 marks · Calculator allowed

Question 2 Formulae of hydrocarbons (2 marks)

  1. Give the formula of the alkane with 12 carbon atoms. (1 mark)
  2. Give the name and formula of the alkene with 3 carbon atoms. (1 mark)

Question 3 Combustion of butane (3 marks)

Butane, C₄H₁₀, is the fuel in a camping stove.
  1. Write a balanced equation for its complete combustion. (2 marks)
  2. Name the poisonous gas that may form if the oxygen supply is limited. (1 mark)

Question 4 Bromine water results (3 marks)

The figure shows what happens when bromine water is shaken with two liquids.
Three test tubes of bromine water: the first is orange before the test, the second stays orange after shaking with a hydrocarbon, the third becomes colourlessbromine waterbeforeliquid Xstays orangeliquid Ycolourless
Bromine water shaken with liquid X and liquid Y.
  1. Which liquid is an alkene? (1 mark)
  2. Explain your answer using the structure of alkenes. (2 marks)

Question 5 Cracking (3 marks)

Cracking turns C₁₅H₃₂ into C₁₀H₂₂ and one other hydrocarbon.
  1. Give the formula of the other hydrocarbon. (1 mark)
  2. State one condition used in catalytic cracking. (1 mark)
  3. Explain why refineries crack long hydrocarbons. (1 mark)

Question 6 Methane combustion calculation (2 marks)

Methane, CH₄, burns in a Bunsen burner. Calculate the mass of carbon dioxide produced when 8.0 g of methane burns completely. (Ar: C = 12, H = 1, O = 16.)

Question 7 Explain fraction properties (2 marks)

Petrol is used in motorbikes and fuel oil in ships. Explain why petrol is easier to ignite than fuel oil.

Question 8 Saturated or unsaturated (2 marks)

Explain the meaning of the words saturated and unsaturated and give one example hydrocarbon of each.

See the crude oil and hydrocarbons test answers and mark scheme

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