Carbon, Crude Oil, and Polymers Practice

Vocabulary flashcards covering carbon allotropes, hydrocarbons, the combustion of methane, fractional distillation of crude oil, and polymer chemistry.

Allotropes

Different forms of the same element that exist in the same physical state.

Diamond

A carbon allotrope where each atom is joined to 4 others by strong bonds, making it very hard and suitable for drill bits.

Graphite

A carbon allotrope with atoms arranged in hexagon shapes in layers, bound by weak forces that allow layers to slide, used in pencil leads.

Graphene

A single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagon shape that is very strong and a very good conductor of electricity.

Hydrocarbons

Compounds that are made of hydrogen and carbon ONLY.

Combustion

The burning of substances in oxygen to produce energy.

Methane

A hydrocarbon fossil fuel with the formula $CH_4$, consisting of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms.

Anhydrous copper sulphate

A white powder used to test for water, which turns blue when water is present.

Limewater

A liquid used to test for carbon dioxide, which turns from colourless to cloudy white in its presence.

Fractional distillation

A process used to separate the mixture of hydrocarbons in crude oil into fractions based on their boiling points.

Non-renewable

A term for resources like crude oil that cannot be replaced once they have been used.

Fraction

A group of hydrocarbons with similar boiling points collected during the refining of crude oil, such as petrol or kerosene.

Monomer

Small molecules, such as ethene or styrene, that can be chemically joined together to form a long chain.

Polymer

A large molecule made when lots of small molecules (monomers) are chemically joined together.

Polyethene (Polythene)

A polymer made from ethene monomers, used to manufacture plastic bags and poly-pockets.

Polyvinylchloride (PVC)

A polymer made from vinyl chloride monomers, used for plastic window frames and guttering.

Biodegradable

A property of a molecule describing its ability to decompose naturally.

Incineration

A method of plastic disposal involving burning, which reduces waste volume and can provide heat but may release harmful gases.