Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1, SS 1, SSS1, SSS 1)
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 7
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Chemistry
Curriculum Theme: Chemistry
Previous Lesson: Carbon And Its Compounds: CO2 And CO, Synthetic Gas and Carbonates.
Topic: Carbon and Its Compounds
Subject Matter: Crude oil and natural gas, importance of hydrocarbons, fractions of crude oil and their uses and economic importance

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

define crude oil, natural gas, and hydrocarbons.
state the importance of hydrocarbons to daily life and the economy.
list major fractions of crude oil obtained by fractional distillation.
match each crude oil fraction to common uses.
state the economic importance of crude oil fractions and natural gas.

Affective Domain:

show appreciation of the usefulness of petroleum products in everyday life.
demonstrate safety awareness about flammable substances and gas leaks.

Psychomotor Domain:

sort and match crude oil fractions to their uses using charts or cards.
observe a simple demonstration of gas formation from decaying fruits/vegetables and record observations.
draw a simple labelled diagram of a fractional distillation column (basic layout).

work cooperatively in groups to complete fraction-to-use matching tasks.
present group findings clearly and listen to other groups respectfully.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum (NERDC).
State Unified Scheme of Work.
Ababio, O. Y. New School Chemistry for Senior Secondary Schools.
OpenStax Chemistry 2e (Hydrocarbons and petroleum processing): https://openstax.org/details/books/chemistry-2e
Encyclopaedia Britannica (crude oil and petroleum refining overview): https://www.britannica.com/science/petroleum
Energy Information Administration (basic petroleum and natural gas information): https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Chart showing a fractional distillation column and temperature ranges.
Flash cards or strips listing crude oil fractions and separate cards listing their uses.
Pictures/samples of petroleum products (e.g., kerosene lamp, lubricating oil container, plastic item, candle wax).
Glass vessels (bottle/jar) for simple gas formation demonstration.
Decaying fruits and vegetables (in a closed container to show gas buildup) and a balloon or glove as a gas indicator.
Whiteboard/marker or chalkboard/chalk.

Rationale for the Lesson

Crude oil and natural gas provide fuels and raw materials used in homes, transport, and industries. Understanding crude oil fractions helps pupils to identify petroleum products around them and explain their uses and importance to the economy.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have learned basic ideas of carbon compounds and can identify common fuels and products used at home and in school.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

CARBON AND ITS COMPOUNDS: CRUDE OIL AND NATURAL GAS

Meaning of Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons are compounds made up of only carbon and hydrogen. They are the main components of crude oil and natural gas.

Crude Oil

Crude oil is a natural mixture of many hydrocarbons found under the ground, often together with natural gas. It is separated into useful parts by fractional distillation in a refinery.

Natural Gas

Natural gas is a mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons found in underground deposits, mainly methane. It is used as a fuel and as a raw material for making chemicals.

The following are sources and uses of natural gas:

Sources: gas wells, oil fields, and gas associated with crude oil deposits.
Uses: cooking and heating, electricity generation, production of ammonia/fertilisers, production of methanol and other chemicals.

Importance of Hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbons are important because they supply energy and provide raw materials for many products.

The following are importance of hydrocarbons to daily life and the economy:

Provide fuels for transport (petrol, diesel, aviation fuel).
Provide fuels for cooking and heating (LPG, natural gas, kerosene in some areas).
Serve as raw materials for plastics, synthetic fibres, detergents, paints, and solvents.
Support industries and create employment (refining, petrochemicals, transport).
Generate government revenue and foreign exchange through sales and export.

Fractional Distillation of Crude Oil

Fractional distillation is the separation of crude oil into fractions based on differences in boiling points. Fractions with lower boiling points rise higher in the column, while those with higher boiling points condense lower down.

The following are major fractions of crude oil:

Refinery gas (LPG)
Petrol (gasoline)
Naphtha
Kerosene (paraffin)
Diesel (gas oil)
Fuel oil
Lubricating oil
Paraffin wax
Bitumen (residue)

Uses of Crude Oil Fractions

The following are uses of crude oil fractions:

Refinery gas (LPG): cooking gas, heating.
Petrol (gasoline): fuel for cars and small engines.
Naphtha: raw material for petrochemicals and making plastics; used in blending petrol.
Kerosene: fuel for stoves and lamps; aviation turbine fuel after refining.
Diesel (gas oil): fuel for buses, trucks, generators, and some engines.
Fuel oil: fuel for ships, industrial heating, and power plants.
Lubricating oil: lubrication of machines and engines; making greases.
Paraffin wax: candles, polishes, packaging, waterproofing materials.
Bitumen: road construction (asphalt), roofing and waterproofing.

Economic Importance of Crude Oil Fractions

Crude oil fractions support major economic activities and provide useful goods for society.

The following are economic importance of crude oil fractions:

Provide energy for transport, homes, and industries.
Support manufacturing and petrochemical industries (plastics, fibres, solvents).
Create jobs in refining, distribution, servicing, and related businesses.
Generate revenue through taxes, sales, and export earnings.
Support infrastructure development (bitumen for roads).

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher asks pupils to mention common petroleum products used at home and in the community (cooking gas, petrol, diesel, kerosene, plastics). The teacher introduces crude oil, natural gas, and crude oil fractions as the lesson focus.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils mention examples and identify where they have seen or used such products.
Learning Point: Many everyday materials and fuels come from hydrocarbons.

Step 2: Meaning of Hydrocarbons, Crude Oil, and Natural Gas

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation and Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines hydrocarbons, crude oil, and natural gas and explains that crude oil is a mixture separated into fractions. The teacher asks pupils to state one difference between crude oil and natural gas.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy definitions and answer questions on differences and examples.
Learning Point: Crude oil and natural gas are important sources of hydrocarbons.

Step 3: Importance of Hydrocarbons

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion and Board Work
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to list how hydrocarbons are used as fuels and as raw materials for products. The teacher writes key points on the board and links them to daily life and the economy.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute points, copy notes, and give local examples (transport, generator, cooking gas, plastics).
Learning Point: Hydrocarbons are important for energy and manufacturing.

Step 4: Fractions of Crude Oil

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Illustration and Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher uses a chart to explain fractional distillation and lists major fractions from top to bottom of the column. The teacher guides pupils to draw a simple labelled diagram of the column.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the list of fractions and draw a simple diagram showing higher and lower fractions.
Learning Point: Crude oil is separated into fractions based on boiling points.

Step 5: Uses of Crude Oil Fractions (Matching Activity)

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes fraction cards and use-cards to groups and guides them to match each fraction to its use. The teacher corrects and reinforces key uses and examples.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils match fractions to uses and present group answers briefly.
Learning Point: Each crude oil fraction has specific uses.

Step 6: Natural Gas and Simple Gas Formation Demonstration

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration and Observation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains natural gas sources and uses, then shows a closed container with decaying fruits/vegetables and a balloon/glove as an indicator of gas buildup (as an example of gas production from organic matter). The teacher links the idea of gases to fuels like natural gas and safety around gases.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe the setup, record observations, and list uses of natural gas and safety precautions.
Learning Point: Gases can be produced and collected, and natural gas is an important fuel.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

Define hydrocarbons and state two examples of hydrocarbon products.
Define crude oil and explain what fractional distillation means.
List four fractions of crude oil and state one use of each.
State two uses of natural gas and mention two economic importance of hydrocarbons.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summary and Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes definitions, importance of hydrocarbons, crude oil fractions and uses, and natural gas uses. The teacher gives a short assignment: draw a simple fractionating column and write six fractions with their uses and economic importance.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the summary and assignment and ask questions where necessary.
Learning Point: Hydrocarbons from crude oil and natural gas provide fuels and many useful materials.

Lesson Keywords

Hydrocarbons – compounds containing only carbon and hydrogen.
Crude oil – a natural mixture of hydrocarbons separated into fractions in a refinery.
Natural gas – gaseous hydrocarbons mainly methane used as fuel and raw material.
Fractional distillation – separation of crude oil into fractions based on boiling points.
Crude oil fractions – separated parts of crude oil such as petrol, kerosene, diesel, and bitumen.

Differentiation

Pupils who need support will use a simplified fraction-to-use chart and guided notes with partially completed tables. Pupils who learn faster will add more examples of petrochemical products from naphtha and explain more economic benefits using local examples.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Use familiar examples from the local environment (generator fuel, cooking gas, road asphalt, plastics) to make the lesson clear. Emphasize safety with flammable materials and gas use, and keep demonstrations simple and well-ventilated. Encourage neat diagrams and accurate matching of fractions to uses, as these are common examination areas.