Oil 4207510 226167824 2008-07-17T03:24:42Z Dbiel 2452011 /* Religion */ added wiki link to [[Anointing]] {{pp-move-vandalism|small=yes}} {{otheruses4||the fossil fuel|Petroleum|other uses}} [[Image:Triglyceride-GeneralStructure.png|thumb|General structure of a triglyceride, the main constituent of [[vegetable oil]] and [[animal fat]]s]] [[Image:Motor oil refill with funnel.JPG|thumb|right|Synthetic [[motor oil]] being poured.]] An '''oil''' is a [[chemical substance|substance]] that is in a [[viscosity|viscous]] [[liquid]] state (''"oily"'') at [[room temperature|ambient temperatures]] or slightly warmer, and is both [[hydrophobic]], ([[miscible|immiscible]] with [[water (molecule)|water]], literally ''"water fearing"'') and [[lipophilic]] (miscible with other oils, literally ''"fat loving"''). This general definition includes compound classes with otherwise unrelated [[chemical structure]]s, [[chemical property|properties]], and uses, including [[vegetable oil]]s, [[petrochemistry|petrochemical]] oils, and volatile [[essential oil]]s. Oil is a [[nonpolar]] substance. == Etymology == ''Oil'' is a colloquial term used to refer to certain diverse and unrelated compounds sharing the same physical properties (such as viscosity and a hydrophobic nature), while ignoring related compounds. The compounds found in [[cooking oil]] are chemically very similar, almost identical, to those found in butter and very different from those found in diesel fuel, but while diesel is an oil, butter is not. Indeed diesel is once again very similar to natural gas, but gas is certainly not oil. This disparity stems partly from the fact that oils must be liquid at room temperature, and thus only certain liquid chemicals in many unrelated families are recognised, collectively, as 'oil'. Scientists, instead of using the term 'oil', adopt the terms [[lipids]] and other terms to denote them instead. == Types of oils == === Mineral oil === All oils, with their high carbon and hydrogen content, can be traced back to organic sources or space. <ref>http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/cassini/media/cassini-20080213.html</ref><ref>[http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/374969 Chicago Journals - The Astrophysical Journal<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Mineral oils, found in porous rocks underground, are no exception, as they were originally the organic material, such as dead [[plankton]], accumulated on the seafloor in geologically ancient times. Through various [[geochemical]] processes this material was converted to mineral oil, or [[petroleum]], and its components, such as [[kerosene]], [[paraffin|paraffin waxes]], [[gasoline]], [[diesel]] and such. These are classified as mineral oils as they do not have an organic origin on human timescales, and are instead derived from underground geologic locations, ranging from rocks, to underground traps, to sands. Other oily substances can also be found in the environment, the most well-known being [[asphalt]], occurring naturally underground or, where there are leaks, in [[tar pits]]. [[Petroleum]] and other mineral oils, (specifically labelled as [[petrochemicals]]), have become such a crucial resource to human civilization in modern times they are often referred to by the ubiquitous term of 'oil' itself. === Organic oils === Oils are also produced by plants, animals and other organisms through [[organic chemistry|organic]] processes, and these oils are remarkable in their diversity. Oil is a somewhat vague term to use [[Chemistry|chemically]], and the scientific term for oils, [[fat]]s, [[wax]]es, [[cholesterol]] and other oily substances found in living things and their secretions, is [[lipid]]s. Lipids, ranging from waxes to [[steroids]], are somewhat hard to characterize, and are united in a group almost solely based on the fact that they all repel, or refuse to dissolve, in [[water]], and are however comfortably [[miscible]] in other liquid lipids. They also have a high [[carbon]] and [[hydrogen]] content, and are considerably lacking in [[oxygen]] compared to other organic compounds and minerals. == Applications == === Food oils === Many edible vegetable and animal oils, and also [[fat]]s, are used for various in [[Cooking oil|cooking]] and [[food]] preparation. In particular, many foods are [[frying|fried]] in oil much hotter than boiling [[water]]. Oils are also used for flavoring and for modifying the texture of foods e.g [[Stir frying|Stir Fry]]. [[Health]] advantages are claimed for a number of specific oils such as [[omega 3]] oils ([[fish oil]], [[flaxseed oil]], etc) and [[evening primrose oil]]. [[Trans fats]], often produced by [[hydrogenation|hydrogenating]] vegetable oils, are known to be harmful to health. === Fuel === Almost all oils [[Combustion|burn]] in [[air]] generating [[heat]], which can be used directly, or converted into other forms of fuels by various means. For example, heating water into [[steam]] which is funneled into a [[turbine]] which turns a [[Electrical generator|generator]], which then produces [[electricity]]. Oils are used as [[fuel]]s for [[heating]], lighting (e.g. [[kerosene lamp]]), powering [[combustion]] engines, and other purposes. Oils used for this purpose nowadays are usually derived from [[petroleum]], ([[fuel oil]], [[diesel oil]], [[petrol]] (gasoline), etc), though biological oils such as [[biodiesel]] are gaining market share. === Heat transport === Many oils have higher [[boiling point]]s than water and are [[electrical insulators]], making them useful for [[liquid cooling]] systems, especially where electricity is used. === Lubrication === Due to their non-polarity, oils do not easily adhere to other substances. This makes oils useful as [[lubricant]]s for various engineering purposes. Mineral oils are more suitable than biological oils, which degrade rapidly in most environmental conditions. === Painting === Color pigments can be easily [[Suspension (chemistry)|suspended]] in oil, making it suitable as supporting medium for [[Oil paint|paints]]. The slow drying process and miscibility of oil facilitates a realistic style. This method has been used since the 15th century. === Petrochemicals === {{main|Petrochemicals}} [[Crude oil]] can be processed into [[petroleum]], plastics, and other substances. ==Other Usages == [[Sulfuric acid]] has been called [[oil of vitriol]] in pre-scientific times, due to its syrupy consistency. Even in modern times, sulfuric acid is sometimes called vitriolic acid, and caustic personalities are called "vitriolic." Sulfuric acid is not a petrochemical, and in modern parlance, is not an oil. === Religion === Oils have been used throughout history as a fragrant or [[Religion|religious]] medium. Oil is often seen as a spiritually purifying agent. It is used in religious ceremonies, such as the [[chrism]] used in [[baptism]], and has traditionally been used to [[Anointing|anoint]] kings and queens. Oil that is associated with one or more saints is known as "[[oil of saints]]" and believed by some to have beneficial properties, as is "oil of [[Christian_martyrs|martyrs]]"<ref>http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11228d.htm</ref>. ==References== {{Reflist}} == See also == *[[Emulsifier]], allow oils and water to mix *[[Oil pollution]] *[[List of countries by oil production]] *[[List of countries by oil consumption]] *[[List of countries by oil proven reserves]] *[[List of countries by oil exports]] *[[List of countries by oil imports]] *[[Wax]], compounds with oil-like properties that are solid at common temperature [[Category:Oils]] [[Category:Massage]] {{Link FA|ms}} [[ar:زيت]] [[an:Azeite]] [[ca:Oli]] [[cs:Olej]] [[cy:Olew]] [[da:Olie]] [[de:Öle]] [[el:Λάδι]] [[es:Aceite]] [[eo:Oleo]] [[eu:Olio]] [[fa:روغن]] [[fr:Huile]] [[gd:Ola]] [[gl:Aceite]] [[hr:Ulja]] [[io:Oleo]] [[id:Minyak]] [[is:Olía]] [[it:Olio]] [[he:שמן]] [[kg:Mafuta]] [[ko:기름]] [[lad:Azete]] [[lt:Aliejus]] [[ln:Mafúta]] [[ms:Minyak]] [[nl:Olie]] [[ja:油]] [[no:Olje]] [[nn:Olje]] [[pl:Olej]] [[pt:Óleo]] [[ru:Масло]] [[simple:Oil]] [[sl:Olje]] [[su:Minyak]] [[fi:Öljy]] [[sv:Olja]] [[th:น้ำมัน]] [[uk:Олія]] [[yi:אויל]] [[zh:油]]