Fuels

Recall that hydrocarbons are organic compounds consisting exclusively of carbon and hydrogen atoms.

Describe crude oil as a complex, finite mixture of hydrocarbons, consisting of carbon atoms arranged in chains or rings, serving as an important source of useful substances.

Describe and explain the industrial process of fractional distillation used to separate crude oil into simpler, more useful hydrocarbon fractions.

Recall the specific names and primary uses of key crude oil fractions, including gases, petrol, kerosene, diesel oil, fuel oil, and bitumen.

Explain how different hydrocarbon fractions vary in their carbon and hydrogen atom counts, boiling points, ease of ignition, and viscosity, noting they primarily belong to the alkane homologous series.

Explain the concept of a homologous series as a family of compounds sharing a general formula, differing by CH2 units, and exhibiting gradual variations in physical properties while maintaining similar chemical properties.

Describe the complete combustion of hydrocarbon fuels as an energy-releasing reaction that produces carbon dioxide and water.

Explain the conditions under which incomplete combustion occurs and how it produces carbon particulates and toxic carbon monoxide.

Explain the biological mechanism by which carbon monoxide acts as a toxic gas.