does kerosene or petrol have a lower boiling point

This liquid contains aliphatic hydrocarbons, or hydrocarbons composed of nothing but hydrogen and carbon.

The carbon atoms link together in chains of different lengths.

Advertisement It turns out that hydrocarbon molecules of different lengths have different properties and behaviors.

For example, a chain with just one carbon atom in it (CH 4 ) is the lightest chain, known as methane.

So whats the real chemical difference between gasoline, kerosene and diesel It has to do with their boiling points.

Advertisement Carbon Chains in Petroleum Products The different chain lengths have progressively higher boiling points, so they can be separated out by distillation.

This is what happens in an oil refinery -- crude oil is heated and the different chains are pulled out by their vaporization temperatures.

See How Oil Refining Works for details.) The chains in the C 5, C 6 and C 7 range are all very light, easily vaporized, clear liquids called naphthas.

They are used as solvents -- dry cleaning fluids can be made from these liquids, as well as paint solvents and other quick-drying products.

Advertisement The chains from C 7 H 16 through C 11 H 24 are blended together and used for gasoline.

All of them vaporize at temperatures below the boiling point of water.

Thats why if you spill gasoline on the ground it evaporates very quickly.

Next is kerosene, in the C 12 to C 15 range, followed by diesel fuel and heavier fuel oils (like heating oil for houses).

These oils no longer vaporize in any way at normal temperatures.

For example, engine oil can run all day at 250 degrees F (121 degrees C) without vaporizing at all.

Oils go from very light (like 3-in-1 oil) through various thicknesses of motor oil through very thick gear oils and then semi-solid greases.

Chains above the C 20 range form solids, starting with paraffin wax, then tar and finally asphaltic bitumen, which is used to make asphalt roads.

The only difference is the length of the carbon chains Still curious about petroleum uses and processing Check out the links on the next page for related articles and quizzes to test your knowledge.

Explore More Related HowStuffWorks Articles How Oil Refining Works How Gasoline Works How Oil Drilling Works How Gas Lanterns Work How Diesel Engines Work How Biodiesel Works Biofuels Quiz Diesel Quiz.

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Does Kerosene Or Petrol Have A Lower Boiling Point