Ethylene (Noun)
Meaning
A flammable colorless gaseous alkene; obtained from petroleum and natural gas and used in manufacturing many other chemicals; sometimes used as an anesthetic.
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- Ethylene is a highly flammable gas that is used as a raw material in the production of a wide range of chemicals and plastics.
- The process of steam cracking is used to convert liquid petroleum into ethylene, which is then used to manufacture polyethylene plastic.
- When inhaled, ethylene can cause dizziness and disorientation, and it has been used historically as an anesthetic in medical procedures.
- The production of ethylene from natural gas is an important industrial process, as it provides a vital feedstock for the production of many other chemicals.
- High levels of ethylene production are a key indicator of ripening in many fruits, including bananas and apples.