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nitrogen tetroxide
noun
: a colorless toxic gas N2O4 that is a dimer of nitrogen dioxide and that in liquid form is used as an oxidizer in rocket engines
Examples of nitrogen tetroxide in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
During Peregrine's startup sequence after separation from its United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket, one of the spacecraft's propellant tanks ruptured, spewing precious nitrogen tetroxide into space.
—Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 22 Jan. 2024
The leak let nitrogen tetroxide, a combustible component in rocket propellant, seep out enough to ignite a check valve and trigger the explosion.
—Hailey Rose McLaughlin, Discover Magazine, 17 July 2019
Some of the nitrogen tetroxide appears to have permeated through Teflon seals and interacted with moisture on the other side to produce nitric acid, Mr. Vollmer said.
—New York Times, 13 Aug. 2021
Evacuations continued for hours as officials tie to determine the threat of the more of the chemical nitrogen tetroxide being released into the air of the rupture of another tank car with the same substance next to the one that imploded.
—NOLA.com, 27 Oct. 2020
Yet the majority of China's launch fleet is powered by hydrazine fuel and nitrogen tetroxide oxidizer.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 11 Sep. 2020
These reddish clouds were caused by nitrogen tetroxide, the oxidizer that combusts with hydrazine fuel.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 8 Sep. 2020
Approximately 100 milliseconds prior to ignition of Crew Dragon's eight SuperDraco thrusters, a leaking component allowed about one cup of liquid oxidizer (nitrogen tetroxide, or NTO) into the wrong fuel tank plumbing.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 13 Jan. 2020
According to one source, the orange plumes were the result of between one and two tons of nitrogen tetroxide—the oxidizer used by Dragon's SuperDraco engines—burning at the location.
—Eric Berger, Wired, 23 Apr. 2019
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nitrogen tetroxide.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1866, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of nitrogen tetroxide was
in 1866
Dictionary Entries Near nitrogen tetroxide
Cite this Entry
“Nitrogen tetroxide.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nitrogen%20tetroxide. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
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