Definition

A colorless gas that is used in the production of plastics and other chemicals, often referred to as ethylene.

Example

Ethene is commonly used in the manufacturing of polyethylene, a widely used plastic.

Conversation

Have you heard about ethene?

Yeah, I read it’s used in making plastics.

Right! It’s interesting how it’s a building block for so many products.

Absolutely! Chemistry really connects to our everyday lives.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

**Ethene** → It is formed from "eth" (from Greek "aitho", meaning to burn) and "-ene" (a suffix used in organic chemistry to denote alkenes, which are hydrocarbons containing a carbon-carbon double bond). The word "ethene" refers to a simple alkene that is a colorless gas with a sweet odor, often used in the production of plastics and other chemicals.

Memory Tip

Think of 'burning' ('eth') to remember that 'ethene' is a gas often associated with chemical reactions, including combustion.

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