Question

What happens to oil if temperatures get above 200°C?

a) It undergoes pyrolysis, producing gases, liquids, and solids
b) It turns into a highly viscous fluid
c) It ignites and burns
d) It remains stable and unaffected by the temperature increase

Answer 1

At temperatures above 200°C, oil can ignite and burn if oxygen is present, or undergo pyrolysis, producing gases, liquids, and solids if the conditions are controlled. It does not remain stable and unaffected by the temperature increase.

Step-by-step explanation:

When temperatures get above 200°C, oil typically undergoes a number of changes. If heated in the presence of oxygen, it can ignite and burn (option c). Otherwise, if oxygen is absent or limited and the conditions are controlled, oil can undergo pyrolysis, which is a chemical decomposition caused by high temperatures, producing a combination of gases, liquids, and solid residue (option a). Oil can also become a highly viscous fluid at high temperatures before it reaches its smoke point or flashpoint (option b). However, oils do not remain stable and unaffected by the temperature increase (option d); they will undergo physical and possibly chemical changes.