What is cracking of hydrocarbon molecules?

Cracking is when large hydrocarbon molecules are broken down into smaller ones using a catalyst - one alkane and one alkene are formed.Alkanes are hydrocarbons with only single bonds.Alkenes have one double bond and the rest are single bonds.

VW
Answered by Valeria W. Chemistry tutor

2700 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What is a titration reaction in acid-base chemistry?


What is a mole and why do we use it? (chemistry)


CO(g) + 2H2(g) ⇌ CH3OH(g). A pressure of 100 atmospheres is used instead of atmospheric pressure. The higher pressure gives a greater yield of methanol and an increased rate of reaction. Explain why.


Georgia has a bucket of sandy sea water, and wants to separate it out into it's components: sea-salt, water and sand. What steps should she take to achieve this? How can she check at the end that the water is pure?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning