Basic concept each fraction rises up the column because the temperature at the bottom is high so it evaporates as gas , once it reaches a temperature less than its boiling point it condenses and gets separated
Crude oil is a mixture of hydrocarbon molecules .The molecules are chemically bonded with strong covalent bonds. but contain different numbers of carbon atoms.
The weak attractive forces between molecules have to be broken for the hydrocarbon to boil.The longer a hydrocarbon molecule is the stronger the intermolecular forces are between the molecules . The stronger forces means it needs more energy to overcome the large forces so higher boiling point is required.
Still after Fractional distillation the molecules are not very useful that is why we move to next step
Other Topics to check
- Introduction to Organic Chemistry
- Organic Compounds family
- Homologus series
- Hydrocarbons
- Alkanes
- Naming Alkanes
- Drawing alkanes
- obtaining Alkanes
- Saturated hydrocarbons
- Unsaturated hydrocarbons
- Alkenes
- Naming Alkenes
- Drawing alkenes
- Functional groups
- Alcohols
- Carboxylic acids
- Fuels
- Crude oil
- Fractional distillation of Crude oil
- Fractions produced by Crude oil
- Cracking hydrocarbons
Or check the Full Organic Chemistry Menu
