activated charcoal
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: * Activated Charcoal: A highly porous form of carbon, processed to have a very large surface area, used to adsorb (trap) chemicals, toxins, or impurities from gases or liquids. It is commonly administered as a medical treatment for certain types of poisoning.
Usage
Activated charcoal is used as a purification or detoxifying agent. It is a specific material, not a general term for charcoal. * It is used in water filters to remove contaminants and improve taste. * In emergency medicine, it is given to patients who have ingested specific poisons or drug overdoses to prevent absorption into the body. * It is used in air purification systems to trap gases and odors.
Examples
- The emergency room doctor administered activated charcoal to the poisoning victim.
- Many home water filtration pitchers contain a cartridge of activated charcoal.
- Industrial spill kits often include activated charcoal to absorb hazardous chemical vapors.
Advanced Usage
- Medical Antidote: When used as an antidote, activated charcoal is typically given as a slurry in water. Its efficacy depends on the specific toxin and the time elapsed since ingestion.
- Adsorption vs. Absorption: It works through (where molecules adhere to the surface) rather than (where a substance is taken into the volume of another). This distinction is key in technical contexts.
Variants and Related Words
- Activated Carbon: A more general technical term synonymous with activated charcoal, often used in industrial and filtration contexts.
- Charcoal: The broader term for the black, carbon-rich material made by heating wood or other organic substances in the absence of air. Not all charcoal is "activated."
- Adsorbent (n): A substance, like activated charcoal, that collects molecules on its surface.
Synonyms
- Medicinal charcoal
- Activated carbon
Related Phrases/Compounds
- Activated charcoal filter: A device or component that uses activated charcoal to purify air or water.
- Activated charcoal slurry: The mixed liquid form in which it is administered as a medical treatment.
Noun
- powdered or granular carbon used for purifying by adsorption; given orally (as a slurry) it is an antidote for some kinds of poisons