Why is crude oil important as a source of new materials?: OCR GCSE Chemistry B questions

Every OCR GCSE Chemistry B exam question on C3.4 Why is crude oil important as a source of new materials?, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

All 117 questions on Why is crude oil important as a source of new materials?, as a list

June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(a) (2 marks): Which two statements about covalent bonds are true? Tick (✓) two boxes. A covalent bond always forms between electrons in the shell closest to the nucleus. A co
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(b)(i) (2 marks): Ammonia has a low boiling point. Complete the sentences to explain the low boiling point of ammonia. Use words from the list. atoms bonds ions molecules Ammonia
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(b)(ii) (2 marks): Complete the dot and cross diagram for ammonia. Hydrogen has 1 electron. The electrons for nitrogen have been done for you. H N H H [2]
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q7(a)(i) (3 marks): Modern life is dependent on crude oil. Which statements about crude oil are true and which are false? Tick (✓) one box in each row. True False Crude oil contain
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q7(a)(ii) (3 marks): Complete the sentences to describe fractional distillation. Use words from the list. different equal gases solids strongest weakest In fractional distillation,
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q7(a)(iii) (1 mark): Name the process in which long chain hydrocarbon molecules are broken down into smaller, more useful hydrocarbon molecules. [1]
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q7(b)(i) (1 mark): Find the empirical formula of butane. Empirical formula = [1]
June 2025, Paper 1 Foundation, Q7(b)(ii) (2 marks): Predict the boiling point of pentane. Explain your answer using information from Table 7.1. Boiling Point °C Explanation [2]
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): Hydrocarbons are made from carbon and one other element. What is the other element? Put a ring around the correct option. Chlorine Hydrogen Nitrogen Oxygen [1]
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(a)(ii) (1 mark): What is the main source of hydrocarbons? [1]
June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q1(b) (1 mark): Alkanes are hydrocarbons. Which compound is an alkane? Tick (✓) one box. Butanoic acid Ethanol Methane Propene [1]
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q7(d)(i) (2 marks): Explain why ethene is considered to be an alkene and chloroethene is not an alkene. [2]
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q9(a)(i) (3 marks): Use the data in Table 9.1 to complete the graph. You need to: • plot the boiling point of each alkane • draw a line of best fit. 160 140 120 100 Boiling 80 poin
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q9(a)(ii) (2 marks): Use your graph to predict the boiling point of heptane, C7H16. Show your working on the graph. Boiling point of heptane = °C [2]
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q9(b) (1 mark): The empirical formula of an alkane is the simplest ratio of hydrogen atoms to carbon atoms. Table 9.2 shows the molecular formula and empirical formula of some
June 2024, Paper 2 Foundation, Q9(c) (2 marks): Alkanes come from crude oil. Why is crude oil important to modern life? Tick (3) two boxes. Chemicals in crude oil have different boiling points. Crude oil cont
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q8(a)(i) (1 mark): Name this alkane. [1]
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q9(a) (2 marks): Complete the table by adding the missing name and displayed formula. Name Formula Displayed formula H CH3OH H C O H H Ethanol C2H5OH H H H H C C C O H Propanol
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q9(b)(i) (1 mark): Name the carboxylic acid formed when propanol is oxidised. [1]
June 2024, Paper 3 Higher, Q9(b)(ii) (1 mark): Draw the displayed formula of the carboxylic acid formed when propanol is oxidised. Show all the bonds. [1]
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q7(a)(i) (3 marks): Use the data in Table 7.1 to complete the graph. You need to: • complete the scale on the vertical axis • plot the boiling point of each alkane • draw a line of
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q7(a)(ii) (1 mark): Use your graph to estimate the boiling point of propane, C3H8. Boiling point of propane = °C [1]
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q7(b)(i) (1 mark): Complete Table 7.2 by filling in the empirical formula for butane. [1]
June 2024, Paper 4 Higher, Q7(b)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why the molecular formula and empirical formula for propane are the same. [2]
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q3(a)(i) (1 mark): Complete the table. [1]
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q3(a)(ii) (1 mark): The hydrocarbons shown in the table are alkanes. The general formula for alkanes is CnH2n+2. What is the formula for an alkane that contains 5 carbon atoms? [1]
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q3(a)(iii) (1 mark): Explain why these molecules are hydrocarbons. [1]
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q3(a)(iv) (1 mark): The alkanes from crude oil can be used in other processes to make more useful molecules. Which process makes more useful molecules from alkanes? Put a ring arou
June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q3(b) (6 marks): Crude oil is a mixture of hydrocarbons. (b)* Crude oil is separated into fractions in a fractionating column. The diagram shows information about a fractionatin
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q7(a)(i) (1 mark): Complete Table 7.1. [1]
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q7(a)(ii) (2 marks): The general formula for the hydrocarbons in Table 7.1 is CnH2n+2. Explain why this formula is true for hydrocarbon 2. [2]
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q7(a)(iii) (1 mark): Name the homologous series to which both hydrocarbons belong. [1]
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q7(b)(i) (1 mark): A hydrocarbon in crude oil has a boiling point of 69 °C. Suggest a formula for this hydrocarbon. [1]
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q7(b)(ii) (1 mark): Give the formula for the smallest hydrocarbon molecule in fraction 5. [1]
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q7(c) (2 marks): Explain the trend in boiling points of the hydrocarbons in Table 7.2. Use ideas about the size of molecules and intermolecular forces in your answer. [2]
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q7(d) (2 marks): Which two statements explain why modern life depends on crude oil? Tick (3) two boxes. Crude oil is a fossil fuel and is a renewable resource. Fractional distil
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q9(c)(i) (2 marks): There are two types of bonds between carbon atoms in propene. Explain how the different types of bonds between carbon atoms in propene are formed. Use ideas abo
June 2023, Paper 4 Higher, Q9(c)(ii) (1 mark): The displayed formula of methane is shown in Fig. 9.3. Fig. 9.3 H H C H H Draw the displayed formula of propene. [1]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): Plot the point for decane on the graph. [1]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): Draw a line of best fit. [1]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(a)(iii) (1 mark): The relative formula mass of C9H20 is 128. Use the graph to estimate the boiling point of C9H20. Boiling point of C9H20 = °C [1]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(b)(i) (1 mark): The general formula of alkanes is CnH2n+2. Pentane has five carbon atoms. State the formula of pentane. [1]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(b)(ii) (1 mark): Complete the word equation for the reaction when pentane burns completely in oxygen. pentane + oxygen carbon dioxide + [1]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(c)(i) (1 mark): What is the simplest ratio of carbon atoms to hydrogen atoms in ethane (C2H6)? Simplest ratio of carbon atoms : hydrogen atoms = : [1]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(c)(ii) (1 mark): State the empirical formula of ethane (C2H6). Empirical formula [1]
June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(e) (1 mark): Ethanol, C2H5OH can be made from crude oil. Why is the OH group in ethanol called the functional group? Tick (✓) one box. It contains an oxygen atom. It is at o
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q8(a)(i) (1 mark): Which symbol should be used to warn people of the main hazard when handling cyclo-octane? Tick (3) one box. [1]
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q8(a)(ii) (2 marks): Write down two safety precautions people should take when filling their cars with petrol. 1 2 [2]
June 2022, Paper 2 Foundation, Q8(b) (1 mark): Carbon makes a much bigger range of different types of molecules than any other element. Give one reason why carbon atoms can form so many different types of mo
June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q6(a) (1 mark): Which statement explains why crude oil fractions are cracked? Tick (✓) one box. Alkenes dissolve in water. Cracking separates the crude oil fractions. Crude oil
June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q6(b) (1 mark): Bromine reacts with ethene. Fig. 6.1 shows the fully displayed formula of ethene: H H C C H H Fig. 6.1 Draw the fully displayed formula of the product made when
June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q6(c)(i) (2 marks): The reactions of organic compounds depend on their functional groups. Put a ring around the functional groups present in ethene and ethanol in Fig. 6.2. H H H H
June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q6(c)(ii) (1 mark): A carboxylic acid can be made by oxidising ethanol. Name the carboxylic acid made by oxidising ethanol. Name [1]
June 2022, Paper 3 Higher, Q6(c)(iii) (1 mark): Draw the fully displayed formula of the carboxylic acid made by oxidising ethanol. [1]
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q1(a)(i) (1 mark): Which symbol should be used to warn people of the main hazard when handling cyclo-octane? Tick (3) one box. [1]
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q1(a)(ii) (2 marks): Write down two safety precautions people should take when filling their cars with petrol. 1 2 [2]
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q4(a)(i) (1 mark): What is the empirical formula of pentacontane? [1]
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): The empirical formulae of methane and propane are the same as their molecular formulae. Explain why. [1]
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q4(b) (2 marks): Predict the boiling point of octane. Explain your reasoning. Boiling point °C Reason [2]
June 2022, Paper 4 Higher, Q4(c) (6 marks): The table shows information about some alkanes. State at room Molecular Relative Melting point Alkane temperature formula formula mass (°C) (at 20 °C) methane C
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q3(b) (1 mark): Ethene, C2H4, is made by cracking molecules such as decane, C10H22. Complete the symbol equation for this reaction. C10H22 C2H4 + [1]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q7(a) (1 mark): Which word describes crude oil? Put a ring around the correct answer. Chemical Compound Element Mixture [1]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q7(b)(i) (1 mark): Name the two compounds in the table that are gases at 25 °C. Compound 1 Compound 2 [1]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q7(b)(ii) (1 mark): Explain your answer to (b)(i). [1]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q7(d) (1 mark): Describe the relationship between relative formula mass and boiling point for the compounds in the table. [1]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q7(e) (1 mark): Benzene has six carbon atoms but is not an alkane. Alkanes have the general formula CnH2n+2. Give the formula of the alkane with six carbon atoms. [1]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q7(f)(i) (1 mark): Hexadecane has 16 carbon atoms. The boiling point of hexadecane is 287 °C. Plot the point for hexadecane on the graph. [1]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q7(f)(ii) (1 mark): Draw a line of best fit. [1]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q7(f)(iii) (1 mark): Estimate the boiling point of the alkane with the formula C12H26. Show your working on the graph. Boiling point = °C [1]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q7(g) (1 mark): Fractional distillation is used to separate the compounds in crude oil. Which property is used to separate compounds in fractional distillation? Tick (3) one bo
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q7(h)(i) (1 mark): The formula for butane is C4H10. Draw the displayed formula for butane. [1]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q7(h)(ii) (1 mark): What is the simplest ratio of carbon atoms to hydrogen atoms in butane? Ratio of carbon atoms : hydrogen atoms = : [1]
November 2021, Paper 1 Foundation, Q7(h)(iii) (1 mark): State the empirical formula of butane. Empirical formula = [1]
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q5(a) (2 marks): All the compounds in the table are alkanes, except benzene. Explain how the formula of benzene shows it is not an alkane. [2]
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q5(b)(i) (1 mark): Name one compound from the table which is a solid at 25 °C. [1]
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q5(b)(ii) (1 mark): Give one reason for your answer to (b)(i). [1]
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q5(c) (1 mark): Describe the relationship between melting point and boiling point for the alkanes in the table. [1]
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q5(d)(i) (1 mark): Hexadecane, C16H34, boils at 287 °C. Plot the point for hexadecane on the graph. Use data from the table. [1]
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q5(d)(ii) (1 mark): Draw a line of best fit. [1]
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q5(d)(iii) (1 mark): Estimate the boiling point of dodecane, C12H26. Show your working on the graph. Boiling point = °C [1]
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q5(e) (1 mark): Fractional distillation is used to separate the compounds in crude oil. Which property of the compounds is used to separate them? [1]
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q6(c)(ii) (1 mark): State the empirical formula of butane. [1]
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q8(b)(i) (2 marks): Ethene, C2H4, is made by cracking molecules such as decane, C10H22. One other product is made in the reaction. Write a balanced symbol equation for the cracking
November 2021, Paper 3 Higher, Q8(b)(ii) (2 marks): Ethene is an alkene. Describe a laboratory test for an alkene and the expected result for ethene. Test Result [2]
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q6(b)(i) (3 marks): Show that this equation works for the number of bonds formed by nitrogen and oxygen. [3]
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q6(b)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest one reason why this equation cannot be used for hydrogen. [1]
November 2021, Paper 4 Higher, Q6(b)(iii) (2 marks): Urea, (NH2)2CO, contains one double bond. Draw the displayed formula of urea. [2]
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q3(a) (1 mark): Name the two elements in ethene. 1 2 [1]
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q3(b) (1 mark): What is the empirical formula of ethene? Put a ring around the correct answer. CH CH2 C2H2 C2H4 [1]
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q3(c) (1 mark): Which homologous series does ethene belong to? Put a ring around the correct answer. acids alcohols alkanes alkenes [1]
November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q3(d) (3 marks): Ethene reacts with bromine water to make dibromoethane. C2H4 + Br2 C2H4Br2 Complete the sentences below to describe this reaction. Use words from the list. Each
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q3(a) (2 marks): Explain how this formula shows that alkanes are hydrocarbons. [2]
November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q3(b) (3 marks): Crude oil also contains a small amount of other molecules that are not alkanes. The table shows the formulae of three molecules in crude oil. Formula of molecul
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q3(a) (1 mark): Ethene has some reactions that are different from those of ethane. These reactions are caused by its functional group. Put a ring around the functional group of
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q3(c)(i) (1 mark): Ethene (Fig. 3.1) reacts with Substance D to give the compound shown in Fig. 3.2. H H H C C H Br Br Fig. 3.2 Name Substance D. [1]
November 2020, Paper 3 Higher, Q3(c)(ii) (1 mark): Ethene also reacts with hydrogen. Draw the displayed formula of the compound formed. [1]
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q3(a) (2 marks): Which two statements about crude oil are correct? Tick (3) two boxes. Crude oil contains hydrocarbons which are used as fuels. All crude oil compounds have the
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q3(b) (3 marks): Crude oil is separated using fractional distillation. Two compounds in crude oil are propane, C3H8, and octane, C8H18. The diagram shows where hot, crude oil va
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q3(c)(i) (2 marks): Complete the table by suggesting the names for each cycloalkane. [2]
November 2020, Paper 4 Higher, Q3(c)(ii) (2 marks): The general formula for alkanes is CnH2n+2. Suggest the general formulae for cycloalkanes and alcohols. Use the examples in the table to help you. General formu
June 2019, Paper 1 Foundation, Q2(b) (2 marks): Butane is a hydrocarbon. Which two statements about butane are correct? Tick (3) two boxes. The molecular formula of butane is C4H10. The empirical formula of b
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q10(a) (1 mark): Which homologous series is ethene a member of? Tick (3) one box. Alcohols Alkanes Alkenes Carboxylic acids [1]
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q10(b) (2 marks): Some fractions from crude oil are used as fuels. Some fractions are used as a feedstock to make chemicals like ethene. In the future, more crude oil will be use
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q10(c)(i) (1 mark): The empirical formula of compound A is CH3. Does this formula agree with the equation? Explain your answer. [1]
June 2018, Paper 1 Foundation, Q10(c)(iii) (1 mark): Another hydrocarbon has a formula which fits the equation. The formula has two carbon atoms. Draw a fully displayed formula for this hydrocarbon. [1]
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q4(a)(i) (2 marks): Down the series, the number of carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms increases by the same amount each time. Use examples from Table 4.1 to show that this statement i
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q4(a)(ii) (1 mark): Pentane is an alkane with five carbon atoms. Predict the formula of pentane. [1]
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q4(b)(i) (2 marks): Complete Table 4.2 by drawing the displayed formula for propene. [2]
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q4(b)(ii) (1 mark): There is no alkene called ‘methene’. Which statement explains why ‘methene’ cannot exist? Tick (✓) one box. Methene cannot be a gas at room temperature. Alkenes
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q4(c)(i) (2 marks): Use examples from Table 4.2 to explain why all of the alkenes have the same general formula, CnH2n. [2]
June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q4(c)(ii) (1 mark): Explain why the empirical formula of all of the alkenes is CH2. [1]
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q6(a) (2 marks): An alkene called ‘methene’ cannot exist. Explain why. [2]
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q6(b)(i) (1 mark): How do the formulae of the alkenes show that they are from the same homologous series? [1]
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q6(b)(ii) (2 marks): How do the formulae of the alkanes and alkenes show that they are from different homologous series’? [2]
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q6(c) (1 mark): The general formula for an alkane is CnH(2n+2). Use this general formula to predict the chemical formula for an alkane which contains 50 carbon atoms. [1]
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q6(d)(i) (3 marks): Use the general equation to write a balanced equation for the combustion of butene, C4H8. Explain your reasoning for each part of the equation. Equation Reasons
June 2018, Paper 4 Higher, Q6(d)(ii) (1 mark): This general equation can be used to balance equations for the complete combustion of alkenes, but does not work for alkanes. Give one reason why the equation d

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