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Thread: What is oil?

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    Exclamation What is oil?

    I know this might sound like a stupid question, but it got me stumped yesterday at the gas station.

    I work at a gas station and yesterday, an immigrant family came to get gas. Now the tradition at this gas station I work at is that when a customer comes to get gas, you ask them how much gas they would like and type (regular, premium, or midgrade OR diesel), then you ask them if they would like their oil checked.

    Now here is the situation; so I ask them everything and with the help of the little girl in the back seat who was interpreting for me, I finally convinced them that premium is the best for their van and it would not cause any problems in the future (not 100% sure about this, but until there's proof otherwise, I will stick to this theory).

    Then I asked the million dollar question, "Would you like an oil check?", and the little girl answered my question with another million dollar question, "What is oil?". So there I was about to answer in my finite knowledge what oil is cause I mean cmon, I've done this job for 1 year and 3 months now and have asked the same question to other customers over 1000x, so by definition I should have by now known what oil is.

    But guess what, I had no idea. I come to answer, and was about to say, "Oil is what you put in your car to..." and that's where I stopped. I gave a nervous chuckle when I realized that I did not have the real definition of what oil is, so I just said to the girl, "...umm it is good for your car...". I guess that worked cause then she interpreted to her dad who then popped the hood and I was able to do my job.

    So guys what is oil?

    E: I meant oil as in motor oil; not transmission or steering
    Last edited by Recursive; 06-09-2012 at 07:40 PM. Reason: Clarification

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    Chemistry-wise, oil belongs to the hybdro-carbon group. From this group, Petroleum Jelly, vaseline, Gas, cooking oil, methane, propane, hexane, propylene, etc can be extracted.

    Basically the difference between them is their gaseous state and the amount of carbons bonds they have. Due to their properties, they burn at an alarming rate which is why we use them to process our foods and fuel our vehicles and what not.

    I forgot the name of the method they use to extract it but it's this kind of settling thing. At different pressures, they extract to different valves in this sorta giant vial. I really forgot the name from chem class but yeah.

    The more carbons, the more dense the oil and thus it sinks closer to the bottom of that vial. Higher price of oil = Higher price of food because we process food and transport it everyday via oil/gas/hydrocarbon classified chemicals.


    EDIT: I think the term I was thinking of was Titration but I think that may or may not be the correct term; can't exactly remember what that means either.. Oh well I'll never know until I visit my chem teacher again or research it.

    From a non-chemical point of view, Oil is the thing that makes the world go 'round.

    Fun-fact.. Did you know Soap is made from the vomit of a whale? Specifically the sperm whale =] We made some in chem class lol.
    Last edited by Brandon; 06-09-2012 at 07:39 PM.
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    The oil you were asked about is called motor oil and it's used as lubricant for the cylinders of the motor. More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor_oil

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    Yes the "oil" in the oil check is mainly used for lubricating the piston in the engine as they are injected into the piston along with gas and oxygen. Other mechanical parts have oil/lubricant too but they are there since production and doesn't require an replacement for years.
    Oh Hai Dar

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    Thanks guys, I know I could have researched it but I think it's something everyone could benefit from especially since Brandon explained it from the scientific point of view.

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    When a motor runs for some time small pieces of steel float in the oil. Making the engine wear a lot faster. It is important to replace your oil every x amount of time. Also some oil will be used by the engine. It will get past piston and will enter the room of combustion. It will leave this room through the exhaust. When the oil of a car runs out, the engine will become too hot because of the extra friction, a burned piston or valves will be the result. This can demolish your entire engine!
    Working on: Tithe Farmer

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    Quote Originally Posted by Brandon View Post
    EDIT: I think the term I was thinking of was Titration but I think that may or may not be the correct term; can't exactly remember what that means either.. Oh well I'll never know until I visit my chem teacher again or research it.
    Nah titration is when you use a solution to find the concentration of another solution. Like neutralising acids and alkali's and finding how much acid was needed to neutralise the alkali or vice versa.

    However lovely fun fact

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