Organic Chemistry: Distillation Basics

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📚 Part 1: Multiple Choice

1. Crude oil is best described as:

A single pure compound

A mixture of hydrocarbons of different sizes

Primarily a source of metals and salts

A solution of proteins and carbohydrates

2. Fractional distillation separates components mainly by:

Differences in boiling points

Colour differences

Electrical conductivity

Magnetic properties

3. Which fraction from crude oil is commonly used as petrol (motor fuel)?

Bitumen

Kerosene

Petrol / Gasoline

Lubricating oil

4. In a fractionating column, where is the temperature highest?

At the top of the column

At the bottom of the column

The column is the same temperature throughout

Temperature is highest in the middle

5. Define a hydrocarbon in one sentence:

6. Explain why longer-chain hydrocarbons have higher boiling points than shorter-chain hydrocarbons:

7. Draw and label a simple fractional distillation column. Show where petrol (light fraction) and bitumen (heavy fraction) are collected.

8. List two common uses for the petrol fraction and two uses for the diesel / heavy fuel fractions: