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Kerosene

Definition

Kerosene is a flammable hydrocarbon liquid commonly used as fuel. It was often used for lighting before electricity became widespread.

Analogy

Imagine kerosene like your phone's battery pack. Just like how your phone needs energy stored in its battery pack to function properly - lamps, heaters and other appliances needed kerosene as their source of energy before electricity came into play.

Related terms

Petroleum: A naturally occurring yellowish-black liquid found in geological formations beneath Earth's surface. It is commonly refined into various types of fuels, including gasoline, diesel fuel, and kerosene.

Refining: The process of converting crude oil into useful products such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), gasoline or petrol, kerosene, jet fuel, diesel oil and fuel oils.

Lamp Oil: A type of liquid paraffin as a fuel for lamps. Kerosene is often used as lamp oil.

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.