iGCSE Scheme of Work
Year 9
Sept 2011
Crude Oil and Fuels
Lesson
Learning Objectives Activities
Lesson 1

Fuels
from
Crude Oil
Crude oil is a mixture of
a very large number of
compounds.

Most of the compounds
in crude oil are
hydrocarbons, which
are molecules made up
of hydrogen and carbon
atoms only.

The many
hydrocarbons in crude
oil may be separated
into fractions, each of
which contains
molecules with a similar
number of carbon
atoms, by evaporating
the oil and allowing it to
condense at a number
of different
temperatures. This
process is called
fractional distillation.

Candidates should
know and understand
the main processes in
continuous fractional
distillation in a
fractionating column.

Knowledge of the
names of specific
fractions or fuels is not
required.
 Starter Ask pupils what they know about
Crude oil (5 mins)
 Discuss the make up of Crude oil as
hydrocarbons. Define hydrocarbons
 Demo Distillation of crude oil, collect
fractions, and show differences in colour
viscosity, boiling point.
 From the results of the distillation expt get
pupils to consider trends in boiling points
viscosity and flammability. See diagram in
e science C1a cude oil lesson 2

Explain these properties in terms of the number of
carbon atoms present and the length of the
carbon chain.
Assessment
Safety


Other
emphasis
Artificial 
crude
oil only, 
teacher
demo

V watching
demo
A Listening
to
explanation
on
distillation
iGCSE Scheme of Work
Year 9
Sept 2011
Crude Oil and Fuels
Lesson
Learning
Objectives
Lesson 2
The many
hydrocarbons in
crude oil may be
separated into
fractions, each of
which contains
molecules with a
similar number of
carbon atoms, by
evaporating the oil
and allowing it to
condense at a
number of different
temperatures. This
process is called
fractional distillation.
Fractional
Distillation
Candidates should
know and
understand the
main processes in
continuous
fractional distillation
in a fractionating
column.
Knowledge of the
names of specific
fractions or fuels is
not required.
Activities
Assessment Safety
Other
emphasis



Starter Review the process of separation of crude oil
from last lesson.

RSC video Fractional Distillation (10 mins)

E science animation Get pupils to add information to
a diagram of a fractionating column on uses, boiling
point, chain length and viscosity

Discuss the processes involved in fractional
distillation and get pupils to write a paragraph
describing the process, possible peer assessment
activity.

Plenary - get volunteers to talk about a key word for
30 seconds without saying ‘erm’
Suggested words Fractions, chain length, viscosity,
volatility, hydrocarbon,

HW sheet

on
fractionation


V seeing
animation
A listening to
explanation
K
iGCSE Scheme of Work
Year 9
Module C1a
Crude Oil
Lesson
Learning Objectives

Lesson 3
Activities
 Starter –
Most of the hydrocarbons in
crude oil are saturated
hydrocarbons called alkanes.  Introduce Alkanes as simple
The general formula for the
hydrocarbons. Introduce the general
homologous series of
formula for alkanes and explain the
alkanes is CnH2n+2.
idea of saturated hydrocarbons.
Hydro
carbons

Candidates should know that
in saturated hydrocarbons all
the carbon–carbon bonds
are single covalent bonds.

Alkane molecules can be
represented in the following
forms:
C2H6
or
 Pupils use model molecules of
methane, ethane, propane and
butane and draw structures in books,
using lines for covalent bonds. Label
drawings with formulae and names.
 E science worksheet C3.1a 3.2
How do the properties of alkanes
depend on the length of the carbon
chain?

Candidates should know that
in displayed structures a —
represents a covalent bond.

Candidates should be able to
recognise alkanes from their
formulae in any of the forms,
but only need to know the
names of methane, ethane
and propane.

Plenary Show me board exercise,
show pupils examples of structures
and formula and ask them to provide
either the structure or formula.
Sept 2011
Assessment
Safety

Other
emphasis
iGCSE Scheme of Work
Year 9
Sept 2011
Crude Oil and Fuels
Lesson
Learning Objectives
Activities
Assessment
Lesson 4


Starter Ask pupils to list as many fuels as they can
think of. (5 mins)


Demo products of combustion experiment using
apparatus shown on p.59.
Demo Bunsen flame (10 mins) to show carbon
formed on a gauze. Introduce complete and
incomplete combustion.
Burning
fuels




Most fuels, including
coal, contain carbon
and/or hydrogen and
may also contain some
sulfur. The gases
released into the
atmosphere when a
fuel burns may include
carbon dioxide, water
(vapour), carbon
monoxide, sulfur
dioxide and oxides of
nitrogen. Solid
particles (particulates)
may also be released.
Candidates should be
able to relate products
of combustion to the
elements present in
compounds in the fuel
and to the extent of
combustion (whether
complete or partial).
No details of how the
oxides of nitrogen are
formed are required,
other than the fact that
they are formed at high
temperatures.
Solid particles may
contain soot (carbon)
and unburnt fuels.
The combustion of
hydrocarbon fuels
releases energy.
During combustion, the
carbon and hydrogen in
the fuels are oxidised.


Discuss with pupils where these products have
come from and what elements must be present in
fuels. Ask pupils to work out word and balanced
equations from observations.

Make notes on elements found in fuels.

Consider what is happening in the equations,
introduce the idea that the elements have been
oxidised during burning.

Animation Burning propane animation on e-science
(10 mins)

Write balanced equations for incomplete combustion
if not already done.
Give notes on above.
Safety
Other
emphasis

iGCSE Scheme of Work
Module C1a
Crude Oil
Lesson
Learning Objectives

Lesson 5
Cleaner
Fuels

Sulfur dioxide and oxides of
nitrogen cause acid rain, an
increase in carbon dioxide
results in climate change,
and solid particles cause
global dimming.
Candidates should know at
least one effect of, but are
not required to know details
of any other causes of, acid
rain or climate change.

Sulfur can be removed from
fuels before they are burned,
eg in vehicles. Sulfur dioxide
can be removed from the
waste gases after
combustion, eg in power
stations.

Knowledge of the methods of
removing sulfur is not
required.
Year 9
Activities



Starter Show the powerpoint slides of
images of global warming then acid rain
and ask pupils to link the images in each
case. (5 mins)
Demo Burn sulphur in O2. Add water and
test pH with universal indicator. Could also
burn a small piece of coal to see if sulphur
is present in this. Ask pupils how it is
related to burning fuels and what the
environmental impact is. (5 mins)
Write balanced eqn for this reaction.

Main Pupils Split into three groups. Each
group is given enough laptops so 1
between 2.
The pupils research into one of three
environmental impacts from pollution:
global warming, dimming and acid rain.
The groups in their pairs find as much info
as possible. (15 mins)
They then combine the information to
prepare a report to the rest of the class.(10
mins)
The reports are then given and should
include: Causes, chemicals involved,
effects, methods of reducing effect.
The reports should be three minutes long
and involve at least 4 people. (10 mins)

Plenary : Cross-word
Sept 2011
Assessment
Homework:
Summary
questions
on p61
Safety

Burn
sulfur in
a fume
cupboard
Other
emphasis
iGCSE Scheme of Work
Module C1a
Year 9
July 2011
Crude Oil
Lesson
Learning
Objectives
Activities
Assessment Safety
Other
emphasis
Lesson 6




Alternative
fuels

Biofuels, including
biodiesel and ethanol,
are produced from
plant material, and are
possible alternatives
to hydrocarbon fuels.
Candidates should
know and understand
the benefits and
disadvantages of
biofuels in terms of:
o


use of renewable
resources
o their impacts on
land use
 their carbon
footprint.
Candidates are not
required to have a
detailed knowledge of
the methods of
production of biofuels,
but should be aware
that ethanol is
produced by
fermentation.

Starter Show pupils the Slide show(alternative fuels
A and video (alternative fuels B) from e-science. (5
mins)
Pupils should create a ‘Guide to Fuels’. This should
be in alphabetical order, with the name of the fuel,
what/how it is made and advantages and
disadvantages. The students could then rate each
fuel with a 0–5 star to represent how good a fuel they
think it is. They should consider the three important
factors in Column 2 in their Guide(15 mins).
Concept map ‘ What makes a good fuel? Pg 101 ‘
Complete Chemistry’ Gallagher and Ingram

Pupils should then complete a spider diagram in
groups of 3 on A4 paper about fuels. Then, in turn,
ask each student to write one point onto the class
diagram on the board or projector (each point should
be different). Then ask the students to consider all
the points written and see if they agree or disagree
and why. If students highlight any misconceptions,
change any incorrect statements. (15-20 mins).

Plenary - Pupils plan an advert to go into a
magazine on one type of alternative fuels, to
persuade people of industry to use it. (15 mins).
Revise for
test


V seeing
animation
A listening to
explanation
K spider
diagram.
iGCSE Scheme of Work
Year 9
Sept 2011
Crude Oil and Fuels
Lesson
Learning Objectives Activities

Lesson 7
Hydrogen as
a fuel

Hydrogen can be
burned as a fuel in
combustion engines
or can be used in fuel
cells that produce
electricity to power
vehicles.
Candidates should be
able to compare the
advantages and
disadvantages of the
combustion of
hydrogen with the use
of hydrogen fuel cells
from information that
is provided.

o
o

Candidates should
know and understand
the benefits and
disadvantages of
hydrogen fuel in
terms of:
storage and use
products of combustion.
Knowledge of the details
of the reactions in fuel
cells is not required.

Starter Hydrogen car video from BMW

Laptop research lesson – in pairs students
research hydrogen as a fuel in combustion
engines and in fuel cells and make notes in their
books.

Students produce a table of Disadvantages and
advantages of using hydrogen as a fuel.

Plenary
Assessment
Safety
Other
emphasis



Prepare for
test next
lesson.
iGCSE Scheme of Work
Year 9
Sept 2011
Crude Oil and Fuels
Lesson
Lesson 8
Learning Objectives Activities

Test
Assessment
Safety
Other
emphasis


