Lesson 6B.1

6B.1 Alkanes, fuels and pollution Quiz: Pearson Edexcel Chemistry, Unit 6

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 6B.1, Alkanes, fuels and pollution: 20 multiple choice questions for the Pearson Edexcel Chemistry (9CH0), Unit 6: Organic Chemistry I, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. How many hydrogen atoms are present in one molecule of octane?

    • 16
    • 18
    • 14
    • 20

  2. Which term describes alkanes and cycloalkanes?

    • Unsaturated hydrocarbons
    • Polymeric hydrocarbons
    • Aromatic hydrocarbons
    • Saturated hydrocarbons

  3. Which process separates crude oil into fractions using boiling points?

    • Fractional distillation
    • Catalytic reforming
    • Thermal cracking
    • Crude decanting

  4. Which process breaks long-chain alkanes into shorter, more useful alkanes and alkenes?

    • Fractional distillation
    • Hydrogenation
    • Reforming
    • Cracking

  5. Which process converts straight-chain alkanes into branched alkanes or cycloalkanes?

    • Fermentation
    • Fractional distillation
    • Reforming
    • Cracking

  6. Which gas released from fuel combustion directly causes acid rain?

    • Methane
    • Carbon monoxide
    • Carbon dioxide
    • Sulfur dioxide

  7. Which toxic gas is converted into carbon dioxide inside a catalytic converter?

    • Carbon monoxide
    • Sulfur dioxide
    • Nitrogen dioxide
    • Methane

  8. Why is biodiesel considered more sustainable than petroleum-derived diesel?

    • It is renewable
    • It burns cooler
    • It is non-flammable
    • It is non-toxic

  9. Which pollutant is formed during incomplete combustion of alkane fuels?

    • Water vapour
    • Nitrogen gas
    • Carbon dioxide
    • Carbon monoxide

  10. Write the equation for the complete combustion of methane. What volume of carbon dioxide is produced from 0.500 mol of methane at 24.0 dm3 mol-1?

    • 24.0 dm3
    • 6.00 dm3
    • 12.0 dm3
    • 1.00 dm3

  11. What mass of carbon dioxide is produced by the complete combustion of 16.0 g of methane? (Mr: CH4 = 16.0, CO2 = 44.0)

    • 22.0 g
    • 88.0 g
    • 16.0 g
    • 44.0 g

  12. Which toxic gas is produced during the incomplete combustion of methane?

    • Carbon monoxide
    • Sulfur dioxide
    • Carbon dioxide
    • Nitrogen dioxide

  13. Which environmental problem is caused by sulfur dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels?

    • Global warming
    • Acid rain
    • Ozone depletion
    • Eutrophication

  14. Which process in engines leads to the formation of unburned hydrocarbon particulates?

    • Complete combustion
    • Thermal cracking
    • Incomplete combustion
    • Catalytic reforming

  15. Which alkane is found in the largest proportion in natural gas?

    • Hexane
    • Methane
    • Pentane
    • Octane

  16. What is the main environmental advantage of plant-derived ethanol over petrol?

    • It is non-polluting
    • It is renewable
    • It burns cooler
    • It is non-flammable

  17. Which compound is a cause of toxicity in the emissions from petrol engines?

    • Carbon dioxide
    • Carbon monoxide
    • Water vapour
    • Nitrogen gas

  18. Which alkane is produced by reforming a straight-chain alkane to improve fuel efficiency?

    • Hexane
    • Pentane
    • 2,2,4-trimethylpentane
    • Propane

  19. In alkane combustion, how does energy released forming bonds compare to energy absorbed breaking bonds?

    • It is greater
    • It is zero
    • It is equal
    • It is smaller

  20. Why do catalytic converters in cars require high operating temperatures?

    • Prevent catalyst poisoning
    • Decrease activation energy
    • Shift equilibrium right
    • Increase reaction rate

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