Steam Cracking - GCSE Chemistry Definition

Steam cracking is a process used in the chemical industry to break down large hydrocarbon molecules, like those found in oil or natural gas, into smaller, more useful ones. It involves heating these hydrocarbons to very high temperatures, usually over 800°C, in the presence of steam. This causes the large molecules to "crack" into smaller ones like ethylene and propylene, which are important building blocks for making plastics, detergents, and other chemicals. This process is a key part of producing everyday products and is important for understanding how we use raw materials to create useful things.