Which of the following is considered a heavier fraction of crude oil?

Diesel is considered a heavier fraction of crude oil because it has a higher boiling point compared to gasoline, kerosene, and refinery gases. During the fractional distillation of crude oil, different hydrocarbons are separated based on their boiling points. Diesel typically has a boiling point range of about 180 to 360 degrees Celsius, which is higher than that of gasoline (which boils between 40 to 205 degrees Celsius) and kerosene (which falls between approximately 150 to 300 degrees Celsius).

Refinery gases, being lighter hydrocarbons, are usually comprised of gases like methane, ethane, and propane, which are collected at the top of the distillation column. In contrast, diesel is drawn off at a middle section of the column, indicating that it is indeed a heavier fraction relative to the others listed. Consequently, diesel's characteristics and boiling point confirm its classification as a heavier fraction in the context of crude oil processing.