Thermal cracking is a chemical process used in the petroleum industry to break down large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller, more useful ones, such as gasoline and diesel. This process involves heating crude oil to high temperatures, typically between 450°C and 750°C, causing the long-chain hydrocarbons to break apart. The main goal of thermal cracking is to increase the yield of valuable products from crude oil. It is one of several refining techniques, alongside others like catalytic cracking and hydrocracking, that help transform raw petroleum into usable fuels and chemicals for various applications.