GASOLINE Meaning and
Definition
-
Gasoline is a highly flammable liquid fuel, commonly used in internal combustion engines, primarily in automobiles, to power the vehicle. It is a transparent, colorless liquid with a distinctive odor. It is derived from crude oil through a refining process called fractional distillation, where it is separated from other petroleum products.
Gasoline consists of a mixture of hydrocarbons, predominantly alkanes, which are organic compounds composed solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms. The hydrocarbons in gasoline typically contain 8 to 12 carbon atoms in their molecular structure. These molecules undergo combustion in the presence of oxygen, releasing energy that is harnessed to generate power within the engine, thus propelling the vehicle forward.
The octane rating is a critical characteristic of gasoline. It indicates the fuel's resistance to knocking or pinging, which refers to the undesirable knocking noise that occurs when the air-fuel mixture in the engine's cylinders detonates prematurely. Gasoline with a higher octane rating has a greater ability to resist knocking, making it suitable for high-performance engines.
Gasoline is stored in specialized tanks at gas stations and dispensed to vehicles through nozzles during refueling. Its availability, convenience, and efficiency in providing the energy needed for transportation have made it the most widely used fuel for automobiles around the world. However, its combustion process emits carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change, necessitating attempts to reduce reliance on gasoline by exploring alternative fuels and technologies.
Top Common Misspellings for GASOLINE *
* 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 GASOLINE
Etymology of GASOLINE
The word "gasoline" originated in the late 19th century and comes from the combination of two words: "gas" and "oline".
1. Gas: The term "gas" is derived from the Greek word "khaos", meaning "gaseous form" or "void". It later evolved to "gases" in English, referring to any substance that tends to expand and fill all available space.
2. Oline: The suffix "-oline" was derived specifically from the word "benzoline" or "benzene", which was originally a product distilled from coal tar and used as a solvent. "Benzoline" was named after the benzene compound that it contained.
Eventually, as the properties and uses of fuels derived from petroleum became more well-known, the term "gasoline" emerged to describe a liquid fuel made up of various hydrocarbons suitable for internal combustion engines.
Idioms with the word GASOLINE
-
pour gas/gasoline on the fire
To exacerbate or worsen a situation, typically by adding fuel to an already tense or volatile situation.
Similar spelling words for GASOLINE
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
