HYDROCYANIC ACID Meaning and
Definition
-
Hydrocyanic acid, also known as prussic acid or hydrogen cyanide (HCN), is a highly toxic chemical compound that consists of hydrogen, carbon, and nitrogen. It is a colorless, volatile liquid with a bitter almond scent.
Hydrocyanic acid is naturally present in some plants, such as apricot kernels, cherry pits, and bitter almonds. It can also be produced synthetically for industrial purposes. The pure form of hydrocyanic acid is a dangerous substance that should be handled with extreme caution due to its toxicity and rapid inhalation hazard.
Exposure to hydrocyanic acid can occur through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. The compound interferes with the body's ability to utilize oxygen effectively, causing cellular asphyxiation. Symptoms of exposure may include dizziness, headache, nausea, rapid breathing, and confusion. High concentrations can lead to seizures, respiratory arrest, and even death.
Hydrocyanic acid finds various applications in industry, primarily as a precursor to the production of many important chemicals, including plastics, dyes, and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, it is used in mining for gold and silver extraction, as well as in fumigation processes. In certain controlled environments, it is employed as an insecticide and rodenticide, given its high toxicity to pests.
Due to its extreme toxicity, the production, handling, and usage of hydrocyanic acid are strictly regulated in many countries to minimize health and environmental risks.
-
An extremely poisonous, colorless liquid, HCN, employed in diluted form in medicine; see under acidum.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HYDROCYANIC ACID
- gydrocyanic acid
- bydrocyanic acid
- nydrocyanic acid
- jydrocyanic acid
- uydrocyanic acid
- yydrocyanic acid
- htdrocyanic acid
- hgdrocyanic acid
- hhdrocyanic acid
- hudrocyanic acid
- h7drocyanic acid
- h6drocyanic acid
- hysrocyanic acid
- hyxrocyanic acid
- hycrocyanic acid
- hyfrocyanic acid
- hyrrocyanic acid
- hyerocyanic acid
- hydeocyanic acid
Etymology of HYDROCYANIC ACID
The word hydrocyanic acid is derived from the Greek words hydro meaning water, kyanos meaning blue, and acidum meaning acid.
The name hydrocyanic acid reflects its composition and properties. The hydro- prefix refers to the presence of hydrogen, indicating that the compound contains hydrogen atoms. The word cyanic refers to the compound's ability to produce a bright blue color when mixed with certain substances. Finally, the word acid describes its acidic nature.
Overall, hydrocyanic acid can be understood as meaning acid with hydrogen, capable of producing a blue color.
Similar spelling words for HYDROCYANIC ACID
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
