Ethanol
Definition
Ethanol is a type of alcohol that is produced from renewable resources such as corn, sugarcane, or switchgrass through fermentation. It is commonly used as a biofuel additive in gasoline to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Analogy
Think of ethanol like adding honey to your tea. Just like honey sweetens your tea without changing its fundamental nature, ethanol acts as an additive to gasoline that enhances its performance while reducing its environmental impact.
Related terms
Biofuel: Biofuel refers to any fuel derived from organic matter (biomass), including ethanol but also other substances like biodiesel.
Renewable Energy: Renewable energy comes from sources that are naturally replenished over time, such as solar power or wind energy.
Carbon Footprint: A carbon footprint measures the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted directly or indirectly by an individual, organization, product, or event.
"Ethanol" appears in:
Subjects (1)
Resources
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.