cracking

Question 1

What are the requirements for cracking?

Answer 1

600-700 temp degrees celsius
catalyst - silica or alumina

Question 2

Why is cracking long chain alkanes into short chain alkanes (and alkenes) needed?

Answer 2

There is a higher demand for short chain alkanes (and lower demand for long chain alkanes)
There is a lower supply for short chain alkanes (and higher supply of long chain alkanes)