Natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas (pronunciation: /ˈnætʃərəl ˈɡæs/) is a naturally occurring hydrocarbon gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, but commonly including varying amounts of other higher alkanes, and sometimes a small percentage of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, or helium.
Etymology
The term "natural gas" is first recorded in English in 1626 in the works of Sir Francis Bacon, who noted the use of "natural gas" in crude oil wells.
Composition
Natural gas is primarily composed of methane, a hydrocarbon that is the simplest member of the alkane series of hydrocarbons. Methane is a compound with the chemical formula CH4. Other components of natural gas include ethane, propane, butane, and pentane. In addition, natural gas can contain small amounts of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, and helium.
Uses
Natural gas is used in a variety of applications. It is used as a fuel for heating, cooking, and electricity generation. It is also used as a fuel in vehicles and as a chemical feedstock in the manufacture of plastics and other commercially important organic chemicals.
Related terms
- Methane
- Ethane
- Propane
- Butane
- Pentane
- Carbon dioxide
- Nitrogen
- Hydrogen sulfide
- Helium
- Heating
- Cooking
- Electricity generation
- Plastics
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Natural gas
- Wikipedia's article - Natural gas
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