plumiFractional distillation of crude oil: AQA A‑Level Chemistry questions
AQA A-Level Chemistry past-paper questions on 3.3.2.1 Fractional distillation of crude oil, 2008–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
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All 29 questions on Fractional distillation of crude oil, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 3, Q28 (1 mark): Alkanes are obtained from crude oil by fractional distillation. Which statement is correct? [1 mark] A Alkanes obtained are converted to alkenes by thermal crac
- June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q16 (1 mark): Crude oil is separated into fractions in a fractionating column at an oil refinery. Which statement about the fractions collected higher up in the column, compa
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q17 (1 mark): Which of these alkanes has the highest boiling point? [1 mark] A decane B hexane C 2,3-dimethyloctane D 2,3-dimethylbutane
- June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q02.1 (1 mark): Crude oil is separated into fractions by fractional distillation. State the meaning of the term ‘fraction’ in this context. [1 mark]
- June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q09 (1 mark): The diagram shows a fractionating column used in the industrial fractional distillation of crude oil. Which statement is correct? [1 mark] A The most viscous pr
- November 2021, Paper 2, Q02.1 (1 mark): The petrol fraction obtained from crude oil can be used as fuel in cars. State the meaning of fraction, as used in the term petrol fraction. [1 mark]
- November 2021, AS Paper 2, Q05.1 (6 marks): The three key steps in the manufacture of poly(propene) from crude oil are shown. Naphtha is a mixture of alkanes with 6 to 12 carbon atoms per molecule. For ea
- June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q04.2 (2 marks): Explain why nonane has a higher boiling point than 2,4-dimethylheptane. [2 marks]
- June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q14 (1 mark): Which statement is correct about the fractional distillation of crude oil? [1 mark] A A zeolite catalyst is used. B Each fraction contains a mixture of hydrocar
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q03.2 (3 marks): Octane and isooctane can be separated in the laboratory. Name a laboratory technique that could be used to separate isooctane from a mixture of octane and isooc
- June 2015, CHEM1 (old spec), Q6(a) (2 marks): Give the meaning of the terms saturated and hydrocarbon as applied to saturated hydrocarbons. [2 marks] Saturated Hydrocarbon
- June 2014, CHEM1 (old spec), Q5(a) (2 marks): Give the name of the substance from which paraffin is obtained. State the name of the process used to obtain paraffin from this substance. [2 marks] Substance P
- June 2013, CHEM1 (old spec), Q2(c)(ii) (1 mark): Other than cracking, give one common use of Y. (1 mark)
- January 2013, CHEM1 (old spec), Q4(a) (1 mark): State a process used to separate an alkane from a mixture of these alkanes. (1 mark)
- January 2013, CHEM1 (old spec), Q4(b) (1 mark): Both C3H8 and C4H10 can be liquefied and used as fuels for camping stoves. Suggest, with a reason, which of these two fuels is liquefied more easily. (1 mark)
- June 2012, CHEM1 (old spec), Q2(a)(ii) (1 mark): Name a process used to obtain a sample of X from a mixture containing other members of the same homologous series. (1 mark)
- January 2012, CHEM1 (old spec), Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): Name the raw material from which hexane is obtained. (1 mark)
- January 2012, CHEM1 (old spec), Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): Name the process used to obtain hexane from this raw material. (1 mark)
- January 2012, CHEM2 (old spec), Q1(a)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest how the liquid SiCl4 is purified. (1 mark)
- January 2011, CHEM1 (old spec), Q4(b) (1 mark): Cetane has a melting point of 18 oC and a boiling point of 287 oC. In polar regions vehicles that use diesel fuel may have ignition problems. Suggest one possib
- January 2011, CHEM1 (old spec), Q6(b) (1 mark): Name a process used to separate octane from a mixture containing several different alkanes. (1 mark)
- January 2011, CHEM1 (old spec), Q6(d) (2 marks): Suggest why the branched chain isomer shown above has a lower boiling point than octane.
- June 2010, CHEM1 (old spec), Q6(a) (1 mark): Pent-1-ene can be separated from other alkenes. State the physical property of alkenes that allows them to be separated from a mixture by fractional distillatio
- June 2009, CHEM1 (old spec), Q3(d)(ii) (1 mark): 3 (d) (ii) Although propane has a boiling point of –42 °C, it is usually supplied as a liquid for use in camping stoves. Suggest why it is supplied as a liquid.
- June 2009, CHEM1 (old spec), Q4(d)(ii) (1 mark): 4 (d) (ii) Name a process which can be used to separate C5H12 from C6H14 (1 mark) SECTION B Answer Question 5 in the spaces provided.
- January 2009, CHEM1 (old spec), Q6(b) (4 marks): 6 (b) Outline the essential features of the fractional distillation of crude oil that enable the crude oil to be separated into fractions. (4 marks)
- June 2008, CHM3W (2008 spec), Q6(a) (4 marks): 6 (a) The naphtha fraction is separated from petroleum by the process of fractional distillation. State the essential features of this process and explain how s
- January 2008, CHM3W (2008 spec), Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): (a) (i) Name the process that is used to separate petroleum into useful fractions. (1 mark)
- January 2008, CHM3W (2008 spec), Q1(a)(ii) (1 mark): (ii) State what is meant by the term petroleum fraction. (1 mark)
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