Fuel

  • O/N 2020/P12/Q4, ​​ O/N 2020/P11/Q4

Petroleum (crude oil) is separated into useful fractions by fractional distillation. The positions at which fractions X and Y are collected from the fractionating column are shown.

 

Which statement is correct?

A The temperature increases up the column.

B X condenses at a lower temperature than Y.

C X has a higher boiling point than Y.

D X has longer chain molecules than Y.

 

Answer: ​​ B

 

Explaination:

In fractional distillation, those hydrocarbons (few carbon atoms) have low boiling points and are condensed and collected at the​​ top​​ of the fractionating​​ column. The bigger hydrocarbons are collected at the lower sections of the column.

Hence, fraction X is lighter or smaller (small chain HC) than Y (which is heavier with bigger chain HC) that’s why fraction X condensed and collected at the top of the column having low temperature.​​