Cracking is a process used in the petrochemical industry to break down larger hydrocarbons into smaller, more useful ones. The process typically involves heating the hydrocarbons to high temperatures and pressures, which breaks the chemical bonds between the atoms in the molecules. This can be done using a variety of methods, including thermal cracking, fluid catalytic cracking, and hydrocracking. The resulting smaller hydrocarbons can be used as feedstocks for a variety of petrochemical products, including fuels, plastics, and other chemicals.