CELLULOSE NITRATE Meaning and
Definition
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Cellulose nitrate, also known as nitrocellulose or gun cotton, is a highly flammable compound derived from cellulose. It is produced by treating cellulose, a natural polymer found in the cell walls of plants, with a mixture of concentrated nitric and sulfuric acids. This chemical reaction results in the substitution of hydrogen atoms in the cellulose molecule with nitro functional groups (-NO2), giving cellulose nitrate its distinctive properties.
Cellulose nitrate is characterized by its solubility in various organic solvents and its ability to form a flexible, transparent, and highly flammable material when dissolved in certain substances like alcohol or acetone. It has been widely used in the manufacturing of a variety of products, including plastics, films, lacquers, and explosives. In the early 20th century, cellulose nitrate was a popular material for making photographic film and motion picture film due to its transparency and flexibility.
However, the flammability of cellulose nitrate poses significant safety risks, which led to its decline in various applications over the years. Owing to its potential for rapid combustion and explosive decomposition, cellulose nitrate is considered a hazardous substance.
In summary, cellulose nitrate refers to a highly flammable compound produced by chemically modifying cellulose through nitration. It has been historically used for various purposes but is now considered dangerous due to its flammable nature.
Common Misspellings for CELLULOSE NITRATE
- xellulose nitrate
- vellulose nitrate
- fellulose nitrate
- dellulose nitrate
- cwllulose nitrate
- csllulose nitrate
- cdllulose nitrate
- crllulose nitrate
- c4llulose nitrate
- c3llulose nitrate
- ceklulose nitrate
- ceplulose nitrate
- ceolulose nitrate
- celkulose nitrate
- celpulose nitrate
- celoulose nitrate
- cellylose nitrate
- cellhlose nitrate
- celljlose nitrate
Etymology of CELLULOSE NITRATE
The word "cellulose nitrate" is composed of two components: "cellulose" and "nitrate". Here is the etymology of each component:
1. Cellulose: The term "cellulose" originates from the French word "cellule", meaning "cell" or "small room". It was first used by the French chemist and politician Anselme Payen in 1838 to describe the fibrous substance found in the cell walls of plants. The word "cellulose" combines "cellule" with the suffix "-ose", often used to denote sugar or carbohydrate compounds.
2. Nitrate: The term "nitrate" traces its roots back to the Latin word "nitrum" meaning "sodium carbonate" or "potash". It then evolved to "nitras" in Medieval Latin, signifying "niter" or "saltpeter".
Similar spelling words for CELLULOSE NITRATE
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