nitrous

/'naitrəs/

Thân thiện

A chemist carefully handles a bottle of nitrous acid in the laboratory.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to or containing nitrogen, especially in a lower valence state: Specifically, "nitrous" describes compounds or chemical species where nitrogen has a lower oxidation state, most commonly +1 or +3, compared to "nitric" compounds where nitrogen is in a higher oxidation state, typically +5.
   • Pertaining to nitrous oxide: In common usage, it often refers specifically to nitrous oxide (N₂O), a colorless gas with a slightly sweet odor, used as an anesthetic and in aerosol propellants.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The dentist administered nitrous oxide to help the patient relax.
  • Nitrous acid is a weak and unstable acid.
  • The chemical reaction produced a nitrous vapor.

Advanced Usage

• "Nitrous" vs. "Nitric": In chemistry, "nitrous" and "nitric" are distinct terms. "Nitrous" refers to compounds where nitrogen has a lower oxidation number (e.g., nitrous acid, HNO₂; nitrous oxide, N₂O). "Nitric" refers to compounds where nitrogen has a higher oxidation number (e.g., nitric acid, HNO₃; nitrogen dioxide, NO₂).
  • Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is different from nitric oxide (NO).

Variants and Related Words

• Nitrous oxide (n): The common name for dinitrogen monoxide (N₂O), often called "laughing gas."
  • Nitrous oxide is used in some racing engines to increase power.
• Nitrous acid (n): A weak acid with the formula HNO₂.
  • Nitrous acid decomposes readily into nitric oxide and nitric acid.

Synonyms

• Azotic (archaic): Pertaining to nitrogen.
• Nitroso- (prefix): A chemical prefix indicating the presence of the nitroso group (-N=O).

Related Phrases and Compounds

• Nitrous bacteria: Bacteria that oxidize ammonia to nitrites in the nitrogen cycle.
• Nitrous fumes: Fumes containing oxides of nitrogen, often brownish in color.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. of or containing nitrogen
   • nitric acid

Từ đồng nghĩa

• azotic
• nitric