What is "ethane"

ethane \eth"ane\ ([e^]th"[=a]n), n. [From Ether.] (Chem.) A gaseous hydrocarbon, C2H6, forming a constituent of ordinary illuminating gas. It is the second member of the paraffin series, and its most important derivatives are common alcohol (ethyl alcohol), acetaldehyde, ether, and acetic acid. Called also dimethyl.

1873, from ethyl + -ane, the appropriate suffix under Hofmann's system.

n. 1 (context organic compound uncountable English) An aliphatic hydrocarbon, C₂H₆, gaseous at normal temperatures and pressures, being a constituent of natural gas. 2 (context organic compound countable English) The same compound, subjected to modification by replacing one or more of the hydrogen atoms with other radicals.

n. a colorless odorless alkane gas used as fuel [syn: C2H6]

ETHANE is a mnemonic indicating a protocol used by emergency services to report situations which they may be faced with, especially as it relates to major incidents, where it may be used as part of their emergency action principles. An alternative mnemonic METHANE adds an additional prompt "Major Incident Declared?" to ensure consideration is given to if the response may challenge the available resources and so necessitate initiating contingency plan measures.

(M)ETHANE dictates the form in which the receiving control station should get information from the first person or officer on scene. In the UK, the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles (JESIP) set out the way the emergency services respond together to major incidents.

This page provides supplementary chemical data on ethane.