Nitrous oxide
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| - | '''Nitrous oxide''', commonly known as '''laughing gas''', '''nitrous''', '''nitro''', or '''NOS''' is a [[chemical compound]] with the [[chemical formula|formula]] {{chem|N|2|O}}. It is an [[Nitrogen oxide|oxide of nitrogen]]. At room temperature, it is a colourless, [[Flammability|non-flammable]] [[gas]], with a slightly sweet odour and taste. It is used in [[surgery]] and [[dentistry]] for its [[Anesthesia|anaesthetic]] and [[analgesic]] effects. It is known as "laughing gas" due to the [[Euphoria|euphoric]] effects of inhaling it, a property that has led to its [[recreational drug use|recreational use]] as a [[Dissociative drug|dissociative]] anaesthetic. It is also used as an [[Oxidizing agent|oxidizer]] in the launching of [[rocket]]s and in [[Auto racing|motor racing]] to increase the power output of [[Piston engine|engines]]. At elevated temperatures, nitrous oxide is a powerful oxidizer similar to molecular oxygen. | + | '''Nitrous oxide''', commonly known as '''laughing gas''', '''nitrous''', '''nitro''', or '''NOS''' is a [[chemical compound]]. It is an [[Nitrogen oxide|oxide of nitrogen]]. At room temperature, it is a colourless, [[Flammability|non-flammable]] [[gas]], with a slightly sweet odour and taste. It is used in [[surgery]] and [[dentistry]] for its [[Anesthesia|anaesthetic]] and [[analgesic]] effects. It is known as "laughing gas" due to the [[Euphoria|euphoric]] effects of inhaling it, a property that has led to its [[recreational drug use|recreational use]] as a [[Dissociative drug|dissociative]] anaesthetic. It is also used as an [[Oxidizing agent|oxidizer]] in the launching of [[rocket]]s and in [[Auto racing|motor racing]] to increase the power output of [[Piston engine|engines]]. At elevated temperatures, nitrous oxide is a powerful oxidizer similar to molecular oxygen. |
| Nitrous oxide gives rise to [[nitric oxide]] (NO) on reaction with oxygen atoms, and this NO in turn reacts with [[ozone]]. As a result, it is the main naturally occurring regulator of [[stratosphere|stratospheric]] ozone. It is also a major [[greenhouse gas]] and [[air pollutant]]. Considered over a 100-year period, it has 298 times more impact per unit mass ([[global warming potential]]) than [[carbon dioxide]]. | Nitrous oxide gives rise to [[nitric oxide]] (NO) on reaction with oxygen atoms, and this NO in turn reacts with [[ozone]]. As a result, it is the main naturally occurring regulator of [[stratosphere|stratospheric]] ozone. It is also a major [[greenhouse gas]] and [[air pollutant]]. Considered over a 100-year period, it has 298 times more impact per unit mass ([[global warming potential]]) than [[carbon dioxide]]. | ||
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Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, nitrous, nitro, or NOS is a chemical compound. It is an oxide of nitrogen. At room temperature, it is a colourless, non-flammable gas, with a slightly sweet odour and taste. It is used in surgery and dentistry for its anaesthetic and analgesic effects. It is known as "laughing gas" due to the euphoric effects of inhaling it, a property that has led to its recreational use as a dissociative anaesthetic. It is also used as an oxidizer in the launching of rockets and in motor racing to increase the power output of engines. At elevated temperatures, nitrous oxide is a powerful oxidizer similar to molecular oxygen.
Nitrous oxide gives rise to nitric oxide (NO) on reaction with oxygen atoms, and this NO in turn reacts with ozone. As a result, it is the main naturally occurring regulator of stratospheric ozone. It is also a major greenhouse gas and air pollutant. Considered over a 100-year period, it has 298 times more impact per unit mass (global warming potential) than carbon dioxide.
See also
