Definition

A colorless and odorless gas that is part of natural gas and is used for fuel and refrigeration.

Example

Ethane is often used in the production of ethylene, which is a key ingredient in many plastics.

Conversation

Have you heard about how they use ethane as a fuel now?

Yeah, I read that it's a major component of natural gas.

It's interesting how something like ethane can be so useful for energy.

Definitely! It's amazing how they find new uses for these gases.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Ethane is derived from the word 'ethane' (from the Greek 'aithēr', meaning upper air or ether) combined with the suffix '-ane' (indicating a saturated hydrocarbon). The term 'ethane' refers to a specific type of hydrocarbon that is a colorless gas at room temperature.

Memory Tip

Think of 'ether' as the upper air, and remember that 'ethane' is a type of hydrocarbon, which is a compound made of hydrogen and carbon.

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