What is the process of breaking rocks open using water, sand and chemicals?

What is the process of breaking rocks open using water, sand and chemicals?

• A. Fracking
• B. Smelting
• C. Recycling
• D. Drilling

Answer: (A)

Breaking rocks open with water, sand and chemicals is hydraulic fracturing, commonly called fracking. In shale formations, high-pressure fluid cracks the rock so that it releases the trapped oil or gas. Water provides the pressure and volume needed to create fractures; sand acts as a proppant to keep those cracks open so the hydrocarbons can flow into the well; small amounts of chemicals are added to improve flow, prevent bacteria growth, and reduce issues like corrosion or scaling. As a result, oil or gas that was previously inaccessible can be extracted. Other processes don’t fit this description. Smelting uses heat to extract metals from ore, not to fracture rock. Recycling involves reprocessing waste into new products, not breaking rock. Drilling is simply making a borehole, which may access resources but does not involve fracturing rock with high-pressure fluids.

Breaking rocks open with water, sand and chemicals is hydraulic fracturing, commonly called fracking. In shale formations, high-pressure fluid cracks the rock so that it releases the trapped oil or gas. Water provides the pressure and volume needed to create fractures; sand acts as a proppant to keep those cracks open so the hydrocarbons can flow into the well; small amounts of chemicals are added to improve flow, prevent bacteria growth, and reduce issues like corrosion or scaling. As a result, oil or gas that was previously inaccessible can be extracted.

Other processes don’t fit this description. Smelting uses heat to extract metals from ore, not to fracture rock. Recycling involves reprocessing waste into new products, not breaking rock. Drilling is simply making a borehole, which may access resources but does not involve fracturing rock with high-pressure fluids.