Crude oil: Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry questions

Every Edexcel International GCSE Chemistry exam question on Crude oil (specification points 4.7–4.18), 2019–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 132 questions on Crude oil, as a list

June 2025, Paper 1, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): When butane burns completely in oxygen, carbon dioxide and water are produced. Give a chemical equation for this combustion reaction. (2)
June 2025, Paper 1, Q5(b)(ii) (1 mark): Incomplete combustion can occur when the oxygen supply is limited. One product of the incomplete combustion of butane is carbon monoxide. Give the name of anoth
June 2025, Paper 1, Q5(b)(iii) (1 mark): State why carbon monoxide is poisonous to humans. (1)
June 2025, Paper 1, Q5(d) (3 marks): Explain why hexane (C6H14) has a higher boiling point than butane (C4H10). (3)
June 2025, Paper 2, Q1(b)(i) (1 mark): Name the technique used to separate crude oil into fractions. (1)
June 2025, Paper 2, Q1(b)(ii) (1 mark): Give one use of the kerosene fraction. (1)
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q9(a) (1 mark): Most of the compounds in crude oil are from the same homologous series. Give the name of this homologous series. (1)
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q9(b) (3 marks): Many fuels are obtained from the fractional distillation of crude oil. Explain how the combustion of a common impurity in fuels causes acid rain. (3)
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q9(c)(i) (2 marks): Give the temperature and the catalyst used in catalytic cracking. (2) temperature catalyst
June 2025 (R), Paper 1, Q9(c)(ii) (3 marks): Explain why cracking is a useful process in the oil industry. (3)
June 2025 (R), Paper 2, Q1(a)(iv) (1 mark): Identify the toxic gas formed by incomplete combustion of a hydrocarbon. (1)
June 2025 (R), Paper 2, Q2(a) (1 mark): Name the process used to separate crude oil into fractions. (1)
June 2025 (R), Paper 2, Q2(b) (1 mark): Give one use for the bitumen fraction. (1)
November 2024, Paper 1, Q9(b)(i) (1 mark): Identify the black solid. (1)
November 2024, Paper 1, Q9(b)(ii) (1 mark): Give a reason why the black solid forms. (1)
November 2024, Paper 2, Q6(a) (4 marks): Describe how crude oil is separated into fractions by fractional distillation. (4)
November 2024, Paper 2, Q6(b)(i) (2 marks): Give the conditions necessary for cracking to occur. (2)
November 2024, Paper 2, Q6(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why shorter-chain alkanes are more useful than longer-chain alkanes. (2)
June 2024, Paper 1, Q8(e)(i) (2 marks): Petrol contains octane, C8H18 Complete the equation for this reaction, including state symbols. (2) C8H18(l) + O2( ) → CO( ) + 3C( ) + H2O( )
June 2024, Paper 1, Q8(e)(ii) (2 marks): Explain one problem for humans caused by a product of this incomplete combustion. (2)
June 2024, Paper 2, Q3(a) (2 marks): Give the name of fraction A and the name of fraction F. (2) fraction A fraction F
June 2024, Paper 2, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): Give one use of kerosene. (1)
June 2024, Paper 2, Q3(b)(ii) (3 marks): Describe how kerosene can be obtained from crude oil. (3)
June 2024, Paper 2, Q3(c)(i) (2 marks): Give the name of the catalyst and the temperature used for catalytic cracking. (2) catalyst temperature
June 2024, Paper 2, Q3(c)(ii) (3 marks): Explain why catalytic cracking is useful. (3)
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q2(a) (1 mark): During combustion, methane reacts with a gas in the air. Give the name of this gas. (1)
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q2(b) (2 marks): Give the two products of the complete combustion of methane. (2)
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q2(c)(i) (1 mark): Give a reason why carbon monoxide forms during incomplete combustion. (1)
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q2(c)(ii) (1 mark): State why carbon monoxide is poisonous. (1)
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q6(a) (2 marks): Explain what is meant by the term fuel. (2)
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q8(a) (4 marks): Describe how crude oil is separated into fractions by fractional distillation. (4)
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q8(b) (4 marks): Some of the products of fractional distillation are then cracked. This equation represents a reaction that occurs during cracking. C15H32 → C8H18 + C3H6 + 2C2H4
June 2024 (R), Paper 1, Q8(c) (3 marks): Fuels obtained from crude oil may contain impurities. Explain how an impurity found in fuels can cause an environmental problem. (3)
November 2023, Paper 1, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): Give the name of this method of separation. (1)
November 2023, Paper 1, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): State what happens to the crude oil when it is in X. (1)
November 2023, Paper 1, Q3(a)(iii) (1 mark): Give the letter of the mixture that is most likely to contain a hydrocarbon with six carbon atoms. (1)
November 2023, Paper 1, Q3(a)(iv) (1 mark): Give the name of mixture D. (1)
November 2023, Paper 1, Q3(a)(v) (1 mark): Give a use for mixture B. (1)
November 2023, Paper 1, Q3(b) (3 marks): Explain, in terms of intermolecular forces, why a hydrocarbon in mixture B has a higher boiling point than a hydrocarbon in mixture D. (3)
November 2023, Paper 1, Q3(c)(i) (1 mark): Give the name of a catalyst used in catalytic cracking. (1)
November 2023, Paper 1, Q3(c)(ii) (2 marks): Complete the equation to show two different alkenes that could be produced in this cracking reaction. (2) C15H32 → C8H18 + +
June 2023, Paper 2, Q7(a) (1 mark): State why carbon monoxide is poisonous to humans. (1)
June 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q7(a) (2 marks): Explain the change in appearance that occurs in the limewater. (2)
June 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q7(b)(ii) (1 mark): Give a reason why the mass of pure water that collects in the U-tube is less than 2.16 g. (1)
June 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q10(b) (2 marks): The alkane pentadecane has the formula C15H32 Describe how propene can be produced from pentadecane. (2)
June 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q4(a)(i) (2 marks): Give one use for refinery gases and one use for bitumen. (2) refinery gases bitumen
June 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): Give a reason why refinery gases rise to the top of the column. (1)
June 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q4(a)(iii) (1 mark): State what must happen to the crude oil before it is pumped into the column. (1)
June 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q4(b)(i) (2 marks): Give the conditions needed for cracking. (2)
June 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q4(b)(ii) (3 marks): The cracking of tetradecane is shown in the equation. C14H30 → 2C3H6 + C8H18 Explain why there is a high demand for both of the products. (3)
January 2023, Paper 1, Q7(c) (1 mark): Give the letter of the compound that produces nine moles of water when one mole undergoes complete combustion. (1)
January 2023, Paper 1, Q7(g) (3 marks): Describe how the combustion of sulfur-free petrol in a car engine produces gases that can cause acid rain. Do not refer to carbon dioxide in your answer. (3)
January 2023, Paper 2, Q4(a)(i) (4 marks): Describe how crude oil is separated into fractions in the fractionating column. (4)
January 2023, Paper 2, Q4(a)(ii) (2 marks): Give a use for kerosene and a use for bitumen. (2) kerosene bitumen
January 2023, Paper 2, Q4(b)(i) (2 marks): Describe what is meant by cracking. (2)
January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q3(d)(i) (2 marks): Give a chemical equation for this reaction. (2)
January 2023 (R), Paper 1, Q3(d)(ii) (2 marks): When the air supply is limited, incomplete combustion occurs. Explain why a gas formed by incomplete combustion can cause a problem for humans. (2)
January 2023 (R), Paper 2, Q3(b)(iii) (1 mark): State the name of the environmental problem caused by sulfur dioxide in the atmosphere. (1)
June 2022, Paper 1, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): State what happens to the crude oil when it is in X. (1)
June 2022, Paper 1, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): Give the name of fraction E. (1)
June 2022, Paper 1, Q3(a)(iii) (1 mark): Give a use for fraction A. (1)
June 2022, Paper 1, Q3(b)(i) (2 marks): State the catalyst and temperature used in this cracking reaction. (2) catalyst temperature
June 2022, Paper 1, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): The equation shows an example of a catalytic cracking reaction. C13H28 → C8H18 + C2H4 + C3H6 Give two reasons why this reaction is important. (2) 1 2
June 2022, Paper 1, Q3(c) (3 marks): Sulfur is an impurity in crude oil. Explain why this is a problem for the environment. (3)
June 2022, Paper 2, Q7(a) (1 mark): The student notices that the bottom of the container turns black. Give the name of the black substance that forms on the bottom of the container. (1)
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q7(a) (5 marks): Describe how kerosene is produced from crude oil in process 1. (5)
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q7(b)(i) (1 mark): Complete the equation for the cracking of C12H26 (1) C12H26 → 2C2H4 +
June 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q7(b)(ii) (4 marks): Explain why cracking is a useful process in the oil industry. (4)
June 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q3(d) (2 marks): When an alkane burns in a limited supply of air, incomplete combustion occurs. Explain why incomplete combustion of an alkane could be harmful to humans. (2)
January 2022, Paper 2, Q2(c)(i) (1 mark): Give the name of the acid that forms when nitrogen dioxide dissolves in water. (1)
January 2022, Paper 2, Q2(c)(ii) (1 mark): Name another pollutant gas that also forms acid rain. (1)
January 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q6(e) (2 marks): Ocimene can take part in combustion reactions. Complete the equation for the complete combustion of ocimene. (2) C10H16 + O2 → +
January 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q6(f)(i) (2 marks): Identify these two products. (2)
January 2022 (R), Paper 1, Q6(f)(ii) (1 mark): State why the gas produced is poisonous. (1)
January 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q2(a) (3 marks): This passage is about the industrial separation of crude oil. Complete the passage by adding the missing words. (3) Crude oil is to form vapour. The vapour is p
January 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q2(b) (1 mark): Bitumen is collected at the bottom of the column. Give one use of bitumen. (1)
January 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q2(d) (2 marks): Catalytic cracking is used to convert long-chain alkanes into shorter-chain alkanes. Give the name of the catalyst and the temperature used in catalytic crackin
January 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q2(e) (2 marks): Catalytic cracking also produces alkenes. Decane (C10H22) can undergo cracking to give C4H10 and two different alkenes. Complete the equation for this cracking
January 2022 (R), Paper 2, Q5(a)(i) (1 mark): State one environmental problem caused by the release of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. (1)
June 2021, Paper 1, Q5(a)(ii) (1 mark): Complete the chemical equation for the complete combustion of the alkane C2H6 (1) C2H6 + O2 → CO2 + H2O
June 2021, Paper 1, Q5(a)(iii) (2 marks): Incomplete combustion occurs when the air supply is limited. Give the names of two products of incomplete combustion. (2) 1 2
June 2021, Paper 2, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): Give the name of the industrial equipment. (1)
June 2021, Paper 2, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): Give one use of the fuel oil fraction. (1)
June 2021, Paper 2, Q3(a)(iii) (2 marks): Give the names of fraction A and fraction F. (2) fraction A fraction F
June 2021, Paper 2, Q3(b)(ii) (3 marks): Explain, in terms of their structures, why C12H26 has a higher boiling point than C8H18 (3)
June 2021, Paper 2, Q3(c)(i) (1 mark): Give the name of the catalyst used for catalytic cracking. (1)
June 2021, Paper 2, Q3(c)(ii) (1 mark): Complete the equation for this cracking reaction. (1) C12H26 → C9H20 +
January 2021, Paper 1, Q9(b)(i) (1 mark): Name the poisonous gas that forms when propane is burned in a limited supply of air. (1)
January 2021, Paper 1, Q9(b)(ii) (1 mark): State why this gas is poisonous to humans. (1)
January 2021, Paper 1, Q9(d) (3 marks): Propane can be produced by cracking. An equation for cracking is C13H28 → C3H8 + 2C3H6 + 2C2H4 Explain why cracking is an important process in the oil industry.
January 2021, Paper 1, Q10(a)(i) (1 mark): Draw a curve of best fit. (1)
January 2021, Paper 1, Q10(a)(ii) (2 marks): Use the graph to find the boiling point of the alkane with 7 carbon atoms in its molecule. Show on the graph how you obtain your answer. (2) boiling point = °C
January 2021, Paper 1, Q10(a)(iii) (3 marks): Explain the trend shown by the graph. (3)
January 2021, Paper 2, Q7(a) (4 marks): The diagram shows a fractionating column. gasoline crude oil Describe how crude oil is separated into fractions in the fractionating column. (4)
January 2021, Paper 2, Q7(b) (2 marks): Octane can also be produced by the process of cracking. Give the conditions for cracking. (2)
January 2021, Paper 2, Q7(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain how oxides of nitrogen form in a car engine. (2)
January 2021, Paper 2, Q7(c)(ii) (1 mark): Give a reason why oxides of nitrogen should not be released into the atmosphere. (1)
January 2021 (R), Paper 1, Q3(b)(i) (1 mark): The process depends on a difference in a property of the fractions. What is this property? (1) A boiling point B density C melting point D solubility
January 2021 (R), Paper 1, Q3(b)(ii) (3 marks): The boxes give some uses of fractions and some names of fractions. Draw one straight line from each use to its correct fraction. (3) Use Fraction bitumen fuel f
January 2021 (R), Paper 1, Q3(c) (3 marks): Fuels obtained from the fractions may contain impurities. Explain how the combustion of a common impurity in fuels may cause an environmental problem. (3)
January 2021 (R), Paper 1, Q3(d)(i) (1 mark): Give the name of the process used to convert long-chain molecules into more useful shorter-chain molecules. (1)
January 2021 (R), Paper 1, Q3(d)(ii) (2 marks): Give the catalyst and temperature used in the industrial process to convert long-chain molecules into shorter-chain molecules. (2) catalyst temperature
January 2021 (R), Paper 1, Q3(d)(iii) (2 marks): When C13H28 is used in this process, three different molecules are formed. Complete the equation for this reaction. (2) C13H28 → C8H18 + +
November 2020, Paper 1, Q6(b) (4 marks): Describe how compound D can be obtained from crude oil using the industrial process of fractional distillation. (4)
November 2020, Paper 2, Q5(c)(i) (1 mark): Complete the equation to explain the scientist’s observation. (1) 2C4H6 + 7O2 → C + 4CO + 2CO2 + H2O
November 2020, Paper 2, Q5(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain how one of the products, other than carbon, may cause a problem. (2)
November 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): Give a use for bitumen and a use for gasoline. (2) use for bitumen use for gasoline
November 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q3(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why bitumen is collected at the bottom of the fractionating column and gasoline is collected near the top of the fractionating column. (2)
November 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q3(b)(i) (2 marks): State the conditions needed for cracking. (2)
November 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): Dodecane (C12H26) can be cracked to produce an alkane and two alkenes. Complete the equation by giving the formulae of the two alkenes. . (2) C12H26 → C7H16 + +
January 2020, Paper 1, Q9(b)(i) (1 mark): Identify the black solid. (1)
January 2020, Paper 1, Q9(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why the black solid forms. (2)
January 2020, Paper 2, Q2(a) (1 mark): Name the process used to separate crude oil into fractions. (1)
January 2020, Paper 2, Q2(b) (1 mark): Give one use of the kerosene fraction. (1)
January 2020, Paper 2, Q2(e)(i) (1 mark): Name the catalyst used in catalytic cracking. (1)
January 2020, Paper 2, Q2(e)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why it is necessary to convert long‑chain alkanes into shorter‑chain alkanes. (2)
January 2020, Paper 2, Q2(f) (2 marks): Catalytic cracking also produces alkenes. C11H24 can undergo cracking to give pentane (C5H12) and two different alkenes. Complete the equation for this cracking
January 2020, Paper 2, Q6(b)(ii) (1 mark): When the air supply is limited, incomplete combustion occurs and carbon monoxide forms. State why carbon monoxide is poisonous to humans. (1)
January 2020 (R), Paper 1, Q11(c)(ii) (1 mark): State why carbon monoxide should not be released into the atmosphere. (1)
January 2020 (R), Paper 2, Q6(a) (4 marks): Ethane can be obtained from crude oil. Describe the industrial process used to separate crude oil into fractions. (4)
June 2019, Paper 1, Q11(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain why water collects in the U-tube. (2)
June 2019, Paper 2, Q6(b)(i) (1 mark): State what is meant by the term fuel. (1)
June 2019, Paper 2, Q7(c)(i) (1 mark): State how oxides of nitrogen are produced in the car engine. (1)
June 2019, Paper 2, Q7(c)(ii) (1 mark): Give a disadvantage of allowing oxides of nitrogen to escape into the atmosphere. (1)
June 2019, Paper 2, Q7(c)(iii) (1 mark): Write a chemical equation for the reaction between nitrogen monoxide, NO, and carbon monoxide to form carbon dioxide and nitrogen. (1)
June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q4(b)(i) (2 marks): When pentane burns completely in oxygen, carbon dioxide and water are produced. Give a chemical equation for this combustion reaction. (2)
June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q4(b)(ii) (2 marks): Incomplete combustion can occur when the oxygen supply is limited. Give the names of two products of the incomplete combustion of pentane. (2) 1 2
June 2019 (R), Paper 1, Q4(b)(iii) (1 mark): One of the products of incomplete combustion is a poisonous gas. State why this gas is poisonous to humans. (1)
June 2019 (R), Paper 2, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): Name the process used to separate crude oil into different fractions. (1)
June 2019 (R), Paper 2, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): State what happens to the crude oil at X. (1)
June 2019 (R), Paper 2, Q3(a)(iii) (4 marks): Describe the differences between fraction B and fraction E. In your answer, refer to ● size of the molecules ● boiling point ● colour ● viscosity (4)
June 2019 (R), Paper 2, Q3(b) (2 marks): Crude oil often contains sulfur as an impurity. Explain why this is a problem when using crude oil fractions as fuels. (2)

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