5.12 I can recall the problems associated with the fractional distillation of crude oil.

a. When crude oil undergoes fractional distillation there are too may long chain hydrocarbons (Eg. bitumen) produced and not enough short chain hydrocarbons (Eg. refinery gasses).

b. To solve these problems the long chain hydrocarbons undergo a chemical reaction called cracking (see objectives 5.13)