Octane

From Glossary of Meteorology



octane[edit | edit source]

Family of alkane molecules, formula C8H18.

Several different isomers exist with different structures but the same chemical formula. One of the isomers, 2,3,4-trimethylpentane, is the standard for knock properties in automobile engines. The octane rating measures the percentage of 2,3,4-trimethylpentane in a mixture with heptane that would give the same knock characteristics as the fuel under test.


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