14.1.4—Suggest how cracking can be used to obtain

Cracking breaks C–C bonds in long-chain hydrocarbons to make shorter alkanes and alkenes with lower relative molecular masses.

Demand for petrol and alkene feedstocks can exceed the natural fraction distribution. Choose a cracking equation that balances carbon and hydrogen atoms and includes the required heat/catalyst conditions.

C₁₀H₂₂ can crack to C₈H₁₈ + C₂H₄. The alkane is a fuel-range product and the alkene is a useful petrochemical feedstock.

Cracking is not complete combustion and does not produce one fixed product from every heavy fraction.