AQA · GCSE · Chemistry
Course version: 8462 · Version from Sept 2018
They should also be able to explain how modern life depends on the uses of…
Full specification wording
Cracking and alkenes: They should also be able to explain how modern life depends on the uses of hydrocarbons.
Hydrocarbons are compounds of carbon and hydrogen only, and they underpin much of modern life.
Checked against the AQA 8462 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 11 of 11
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Hydrocarbons are compounds of carbon and hydrogen only, and they underpin much of modern life. Fractions from crude oil provide fuels for cars, lorries, ships and aircraft, and for heating and electricity generation. They are also feedstocks for the petrochemical industry, which makes plastics, synthetic fibres, detergents, medicines, lubricants and solvents. Alkenes from cracking are polymerised into materials such as poly(ethene) for bags and bottles. A strong explanation links a named hydrocarbon use to a benefit and recognises that crude oil is a finite resource, so alternatives and recycling are important.
What earns the marks
- Hydrocarbons are used as fuels for transport, heating and electricity generation.
- Hydrocarbons are feedstocks for making polymers such as poly(ethene) and poly(propene).
- Petrochemicals from hydrocarbons are used in medicines, detergents, lubricants, solvents and synthetic fibres.
- Modern life depends on these uses for transport, clothing, packaging, healthcare and communication.
- Crude oil is a finite resource, so dependence raises issues of sustainability, recycling and alternative feedstocks.
- Credit answers that name a specific product and explain the benefit it brings.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Saying hydrocarbons are only fuels.
Put it right: They are also feedstocks for plastics, medicines and many other products.
Claiming crude oil is renewable.
Put it right: Crude oil is finite and will eventually run out.
Listing products without linking them to a benefit.
Put it right: Explain how each product supports modern life, such as packaging preserving food.
Exam tips
- Name at least two different categories of use, such as fuel and feedstock.
- Link each use to a benefit for people, for example transport or healthcare.
- Mention sustainability to show awareness that crude oil is finite.
Try the lesson
The start of the Cracking and alkenes: They should also be able to explain how modern life depends on the uses of hydrocarbons. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of the following best explains why modern life depends heavily on the uses of hydrocarbons?
Listen
Hydrocarbons are compounds of carbon and hydrogen only, and they underpin much of modern life. Fractions from crude oil provide fuels for cars, lorries, ships and aircraft, and for heating and electricity generation. They are also feedstocks for the petrochemical industry, which makes plastics, synthetic fibres, detergents, medicines, lubricants and solvents. Alkenes from cracking are polymerised into materials such as poly(ethene) for bags and bottles. A strong explanation links a named hydrocarbon use to a benefit and recognises that crude oil is a finite resource, so alternatives and recycling are important. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Hydrocarbons are used as fuels for transport, heating and electricity generation. Hydrocarbons are feedstocks for making polymers such as poly(ethene) and poly(propene). Petrochemicals from hydrocarbons are used in medicines, detergents, lubricants, solvents and synthetic fibres. Modern life depends on these uses for transport, clothing, packaging, healthcare and communication. A common slip: Saying hydrocarbons are only fuels. Instead, they are also feedstocks for plastics, medicines and many other products. Exam tip: Name at least two different categories of use, such as fuel and feedstock.
See it
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Fuels
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Petrochemicals
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Polymers
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Sustainability
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Fuels
- Fractions from crude oil provide these for cars, lorries, ships and aircraft, and for heating and electricity generation.
- Petrochemicals
- Products of the petrochemical industry made from hydrocarbon feedstocks, including plastics, synthetic fibres, detergents, medicines, lubricants and solvents.
- Polymers
- Materials such as poly(ethene) and poly(propene) made by polymerising alkenes from cracking, used for bags and bottles.
- Sustainability
- An issue raised by dependence on crude oil, which is a finite resource, so alternatives and recycling are important.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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