octanes
Pump number choices
Octanes is the plural of octane, a hydrocarbon found in petroleum.
The word appears most often in octane rating or octane number, which measures a fuel's resistance to engine knock—higher octanes burn more smoothly under compression.
High-octane extends figuratively to anything intense or powerful: high-octane action, high-octane coffee.
Same formula, different structure
- alkanesSaturated hydrocarbon compounds
- heptaneSeven-carbon alkane
- hexaneC6H14 alkane solvent
- pentaneFive-carbon alkane fuel
decane · hydrocarbons · molecular structure · carbon chain · branching · petrochemicals · organic compounds · saturated
Refined petroleum vehicle fuel
- petroleumNatural underground hydrocarbon liquid
- dieselCompression-ignition fuel
- keroseneFlammable petroleum distillate
- ethanolDrinkable volatile spirit
methanol · biodiesel · crude oil · refinery · distillation · naphtha · tanker · pump
Starting combustion process
- detonationExplosive ignition event
- autoignitionSpontaneous combustion from heat
- burnDamage by heat
- flameBurning gas made visible
spark · explosion · oxidation · exothermic · heat · thermal · kinetics · calorific
Comparison of original to reduced
- knockingStriking to announce presence
- engine performanceMotor operational effectiveness
- measurementDetermining size or amount
- indexAlphabetical guide to contents
isomers
Same formula, different structure
pentane · decane · hydrocarbons · molecular structure · carbon chain · branching · petrochemicals · organic compounds · saturated
gasoline
Refined petroleum vehicle fuel
- petroleumNatural underground hydrocarbon liquid
- dieselCompression-ignition fuel
- keroseneFlammable petroleum distillate
ethanol · methanol · biodiesel · crude oil · refinery · distillation · naphtha · tanker · pump · nozzle
ignition
Starting combustion process
- detonationExplosive ignition event
- autoignitionSpontaneous combustion from heat
- burnDamage by heat
flame · spark · explosion · oxidation · exothermic · heat · thermal · kinetics · calorific · carbon dioxide
compression ratio
Comparison of original to reduced
- knockingStriking to announce presence
- engine performanceMotor operational effectiveness
- measurementDetermining size or amount
- high octaneIntensely energetic or powerful
- octane ratingFuel's anti-knock measurement
- low octaneLow-grade gasoline rating
- octane numberFuel combustion resistance rating