Question

What is a petroleum fraction having boiling range ${{70 - 200^\circ C}}$ and containing 6-10 carbon atoms per molecule known as?
A.Natural gas
B.Gas oil
C.Gasoline
D.Kerosene

Answer 1

Hint:In the above question, we are asked to find which among the given options has the desired boiling range and number of carbon atoms. So, we have to look after each option’s boiling range and number of carbon atoms.

Complete answer:
Natural gas is a non-renewable hydro-carbon and is a common source of energy. It is a petroleum fraction having a boiling range less than ${{20^\circ C}}$ and contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
Gas oil is the other name of red diesel. It is a petroleum fraction having a boiling range between ${\text{20 - 60^\circ C}}$ and contains 5 to 6 carbon atoms.
Gasoline is a refined petroleum used as fuel for internal combustion engines. It is a petroleum fraction having a boiling range between ${{40 - 200^\circ C}}$ and contains 5 to 12 carbon atoms. Mostly, it contains 6 to 8 carbon atoms.
Kerosene is a combustible hydrocarbon liquid. It is a petroleum fraction having a boiling range between ${{150 - 260^\circ C}}$ and contains mostly 12 to 13 carbon atoms.
Representing the above information in a tabular form:

Option	Boiling Range	No. of carbon atoms
Natural gas	<20	1-4
Gas oil	20-60	5-6
Gasoline	40-200	5-12
Kerosene	150-260	12-13

So, the most appropriate answer is gasoline.

So, option C is correct.

Note:
Gasoline is derived during the fractional distillation process and has a translucent liquid form. It can never be used in its crude form. Different additives such as ethanol are added in it so that it can be used as a passenger fuel. The term gasoline (as referred in US and Latin countries) is known as petrol in Europe and Asian countries.