The cracking process is a method used in the petroleum industry to break down large hydrocarbon molecules into smaller, more useful ones. This is typically done through heat and pressure, transforming heavy crude oil into lighter products like gasoline and diesel. There are two main types of cracking: thermal cracking, which uses high temperatures, and catalytic cracking, which employs a catalyst to speed up the reaction. Both methods help maximize the yield of valuable fuels and chemicals from crude oil, making the refining process more efficient.