HYDROCARBON Meaning and
Definition
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A hydrocarbon refers to a class of organic compounds composed solely of hydrogen and carbon atoms. It is a versatile and vast group of substances that play a vital role in various aspects of everyday life. Hydrocarbons are the fundamental building blocks of many natural resources, such as petroleum, natural gas, and coal.
As a chemical compound, hydrocarbons exhibit a wide range of physical properties, from gases like methane and ethane, to liquids like propane and butane, and even solids like paraffin wax. They can be found in various forms, including straight chains, branched chains, and cyclic structures, offering an incredible diversity in molecular arrangements.
Hydrocarbons are highly valued due to their various applications and uses across several industries. They serve as valuable fuels, providing energy for transportation and heating, as well as for industrial processes and electricity generation. Additionally, hydrocarbons are essential raw materials for the manufacturing of plastics, rubbers, solvents, fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemical products.
However, depending on their composition and reactions, hydrocarbons can have environmental impacts. They are associated with air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions when burned incompletely, contributing to global climate change. Additionally, the extraction and production of hydrocarbons can lead to habitat destruction, water contamination, and other ecological consequences.
In summary, hydrocarbons are vital organic compounds composed of hydrogen and carbon atoms, which are integral to the energy and chemical industries. Their versatility and abundance make them indispensable resources in everyday life, although their usage also raises environmental concerns.
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A compound containing only hydrogen and carbon.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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A compound of hydrogen and carbon.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for HYDROCARBON *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for HYDROCARBON
Etymology of HYDROCARBON
The word "hydrocarbon" is derived from two root words: "hydro" and "carbon".
The root word "hydro" comes from the Greek word "hydor", meaning water. It is often used in scientific and technical terms related to water or hydrogen.
The root word "carbon" comes from the Latin word "carbo", which means charcoal or carbon. It refers to the chemical element carbon, which is a fundamental component of organic compounds.
Therefore, the word "hydrocarbon" combines these two roots to describe organic compounds composed of hydrogen and carbon atoms.
Similar spelling words for HYDROCARBON
- hydrocharis,
- hydrozoan,
- hydrochoerus,
- hydrocephalus,
- hydrocephaly,
- hydrocolloid,
- hydrogen bond,
- hydrocortisone,
- hydrochloride,
- hydrocortone,
- hydrocele,
- Hydrozoa,
- hydrocephalic.
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