Cracking Hydrocarbons: How and Why We Do It

The video tutorial explains the process of cracking hydrocarbons, focusing on why it is necessary and how it is done. It highlights the imbalance between the composition of crude oil and the demand for lighter fractions like gasoline. The tutorial describes the methods of catalytic and steam cracking, emphasizing the conversion of long-chain hydrocarbons into more useful smaller ones. It details the properties of the resulting alkanes and alkenes, their uses as fuels and in polymerization, and concludes with the importance of cracking in meeting fuel demands.

What is the significance of the catalyst in the catalytic cracking process?

Explain the difference between alkanes and alkenes as described in the text.