What is cracking?
The process of breaking down into hydrocarbons into shorter chain hydrocarbons
How is cracking done? (heat, catalyst)
The hydrocarbons are heated until it is a gas, and then passed over a silica catalyst at 600-700C
why is cracking useful?
because shorter chain alkanes are better fuels so being able to break them down is helpful
what is the demand of different length hydrocarbons?
shorter chain hydrocarbons are more sought after as they are better fuels than the longer chain hydrocarbons.