How Do You Spell NITROCELLULOSE?

Pronunciation: [nˌa͡ɪtɹə͡ʊsˈɛljuːlˌə͡ʊz] (IPA)

Nitrocellulose is a chemical compound used in the manufacturing of various products like ink, lacquer, and collodion. Its spelling follows the principle of combining the Latin roots of "nitro-" meaning "containing nitrogen" and "cellulose" meaning "a substance formed from plant cells". The IPA phonetic transcription for "nitrocellulose" is /ˌnaɪtroʊˈsɛljəloʊs/. The accent is on the second syllable, which has a long "o" sound followed by a regular "s" sound. The last syllable has a silent "e" and a vowel sound of "uh".

NITROCELLULOSE Meaning and Definition

  1. Nitrocellulose is a highly flammable compound that consists of cellulose fibers made by nitrating cellulose with a mixture of nitric acid and sulfuric acid. It is commonly known as gun cotton or flash paper due to its explosive nature and rapid combustion when ignited.

    Nitrocellulose is characterized by its unique chemical and physical properties. It is a solid material that resembles fibrous cotton or powder, and it is of great commercial importance due to its wide range of applications.

    In the field of manufacturing, nitrocellulose is primarily used as a lacquer and coating material. It is highly soluble in organic solvents, allowing it to form a film when dissolved in appropriate solvents. This film generates a glossy, durable, and water-resistant finish, making nitrocellulose lacquers popular in industries such as automotive, furniture, and musical instruments.

    Moreover, nitrocellulose is utilized in the production of explosives and propellants due to its rapid combustion properties. It can be combined with other substances, such as nitroglycerin, to manufacture more stable and powerful explosives. In addition to its explosive capabilities, nitrocellulose is commonly employed as a main component in the production of celluloid and cellulose acetate, which are used in the manufacturing of films, photographic materials, and molding compounds.

    Despite its numerous applications, nitrocellulose should be handled with caution due to its inherent combustibility. It requires careful storage and transportation to prevent the risk of accidents or explosions.

  2. Pyroxylin, gun-cotton, used in the manufacture of collodion.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for NITROCELLULOSE

Etymology of NITROCELLULOSE

The word "nitrocellulose" has its etymology rooted in Latin and Greek.

The term "cellulose" comes from the Latin word "cellula", which means "small room" or "honeycomb". It refers to the small units or cells that make up the structure of cellulose.

The prefix "nitro-" in "nitrocellulose" originates from the Greek word "nitron", which means "saltpetre" or "nitrate". In chemistry, "nitro-" is often used to indicate the presence of nitrogen or compounds containing nitrogen.

Combining these elements, "nitrocellulose" refers to a compound made up of cellulose that has undergone a nitration process involving the addition of nitrogen-containing groups. It is a highly flammable material commonly used in the production of explosives, propellants, and as a film base in early photography.

Plural form of NITROCELLULOSE is NITROCELLULOSES

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