The word "nitroglycerin" is a tricky one to spell due to the silent "o" in the middle. It is pronounced as /ˌnaɪtrəʊˈɡlɪsərɪn/ (ny-troh-GLIS-er-in) with the stress on the second syllable. The first syllable "nitro" refers to nitrogen, and the suffix "-glycerin" comes from the organic compound glycerin. Nitroglycerin is a powerful explosive used in construction and mining. While its spelling may be difficult, it's an important word to know and spell correctly in technical fields.
Nitroglycerin is an explosive compound belonging to the group of organic nitrates. It is typically a clear, oily, and highly volatile liquid with a characteristic sweet odor. Nitroglycerin has a chemical formula of C3H5N3O9 and is composed of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen atoms.
Nitroglycerin is mainly used in the production of explosives and as a key ingredient in dynamite. Due to its volatility and explosive nature, it requires extreme caution during handling and storage. It is highly sensitive to heat, shock, or friction and can detonate if subjected to any of these conditions. This makes it crucial to store nitroglycerin in well-controlled and specialized facilities.
Moreover, nitroglycerin also possesses some medical applications. In the field of medicine, it is used as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of certain heart conditions, particularly angina pectoris. It helps widen the blood vessels, allowing increased blood flow and relieving chest pain associated with various heart-related ailments.
Despite its efficacy, nitroglycerin can cause side effects such as headaches, dizziness, and low blood pressure when used as a medication. The use of nitroglycerin in both industrial and medical settings requires careful adherence to safety protocols and regulations to prevent accidents or harm to individuals.
Glonoin, glyceryl trinitrate, C3H5(NO3)3, a yellowish oily fluid formed by the action of sulphuric and nitric acids on glycerin; employed as a vasodilator in doses of gr. 1/200-1/50 (0.0003-0.0013); the official preparation is the spiritus glycerylis nitratis.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "nitroglycerin" has roots in both Greek and Latin.
The term "nitro-" derives from the Greek word "nitron", meaning "saltpetre" or potassium nitrate. Saltpetre was used in various explosives and gunpowder throughout history. The word "glycerin" is derived from "glykys", a Greek word meaning "sweet", which refers to the sweet taste of the substance.
The Latin suffix "-in" typically indicates a chemical or medicinal substance. Therefore, when combined, "nitro-" and "-glycerin" form the word "nitroglycerin", which refers to an explosive compound composed of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen.