Open In App

Difference Between Gasoline and Petrol

Last Updated : 24 Feb, 2023
Improve
Improve
Like Article
Like
Save
Share
Report

What is Gasoline?

Gasoline is a liquid petroleum product that is primarily used as a fuel for internal combustion engines in vehicles, such as cars and trucks. It is composed of a mixture of hydrocarbons and other chemicals, including octane and other additives, that help to improve the performance and efficiency of engines. Gasoline is highly flammable and is typically stored in underground tanks at fuel stations before being pumped into the fuel tanks of vehicles. The properties and composition of gasoline can vary depending on the source of the crude oil from which it is derived and the refining process used to produce it.

What is Petrol?

Petrol is another term used interchangeably with gasoline to refer to a motor fuel that is used primarily to power internal combustion engines in vehicles such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles. It is a light, volatile, and flammable liquid that is composed of a mixture of hydrocarbons and other chemicals, including octane and other additives. The exact composition of petrol can vary depending on the source of the crude oil used to produce it and the refining process used to refine the crude oil into petrol.

Petrol is typically produced through the refining of crude oil and is stored in underground tanks at fuel stations before being pumped into the fuel tanks of vehicles. The chemical properties of petrol, such as its volatility and flammability, determine its behavior in an engine and its performance as a fuel. The octane rating of petrol is a measure of its performance as a fuel and indicates the fuel’s ability to resist “knocking” or “pinging” during combustion, which can cause engine damage.

Gasoline and petrol both means is same it is just called by two different names depending on the regions to which name they are called or known.

For Example:

  • In Canada petrol is called(or known) gasoline.
  • In India, the United Kingdom, and in other countries they are called(or known) as petrol.

Note: Both terms’ meaning is the same just depending on the region to what name they are known(or called).

Similarities between Gasoline and Petrol:

  • Gasoline(or petrol) is a fuel made from crude oil and hydrocarbon organic compounds. The general chemical formula of gasoline or petrol is Cn H2n+2.
  • Gasoline is not a compound instead it is a mixture because it is made up of approx 150 chemicals from which we obtain crude oil.
  • Gasoline(or petrol) state of existence is liquid.
  • Gasoline(or petrol) is used as a source of energy for transport vehicles (in basic terms they are known as fuels).
  • Gasoline(or petrol) is a highly inflammable substance which is the reason to be using combustion of engine(or fuel).

The Basic Difference Between Petrol and Gasoline:

Gasoline is made by refining petroleum which is made up of hydrocarbon(or hydrogen and carbon only).

Conclusion:

In summary, the terms “petrol” and “gasoline” are synonymous and can be used interchangeably to refer to the same motor fuel.


Like Article
Suggest improvement
Share your thoughts in the comments

Similar Reads