Video Transcript
Under which of the following conditions is thermal cracking usually performed? (A) Low temperature and high pressure. (B) High temperature and low pressure. (C) High temperature and high pressure. Or (D) low temperature and low pressure.
The process of thermal cracking is a cracking reaction, which is a type of decomposition reaction, where larger organic molecules are broken down into smaller molecules. This process is endothermic and, thus, requires energy to be added to the system for the reaction to occur. The term “thermal cracking” implies that the energy is supplied in the form of heat and is conducted at high temperatures so this process can occur. To speed up this reaction, the process can be conducted in the presence of a catalyst. The rate of these reactions can also be driven up using high pressures.
Therefore, the conditions under which thermal cracking is usually performed are in answer choice (C), high temperature and high pressure.
