cracking

a sudden sharp noise

• “the crack of a whip”
• “he heard the cracking of the ice”
• “he can hear the snap of a twig”

the act of cracking something

the process whereby heavy molecules of naphtha or petroleum are broken down into hydrocarbons of lower molecular weight (especially in the oil-refining process)

very good

• “he did a bully job”
• “a neat sports car”
• “had a great time at the party”
• “you look simply smashing”