ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Isopropyl nitrate

Okay kiddo, have you ever heard of a chemical called isopropyl nitrate? It's a liquid that can be used for a few different things. Would you like to learn more about it? Great! Let's get started.

First, let's talk a bit about what chemicals are. Chemicals are tiny things that can be found all around us. They're really important because they help us do a lot of different things, like cleaning our homes or making medicine. Some chemicals are safe and some are not, so it's really important to handle them carefully.

Now, back to isopropyl nitrate. This chemical is made up of three things: carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen. When these three things come together, they form a liquid that's like a clear, colorless water.

Isopropyl nitrate can be used for a few different things, but one of the most common is as a fuel additive. That means it gets added to gasoline to help the engine run better. When isopropyl nitrate is added to gasoline, it makes the gasoline burn more efficiently, which means the engine can work better and use less gasoline.

But there's something really important to know: isopropyl nitrate is not something you should play with or handle on your own! It can be dangerous if it's not used correctly. In fact, it's only supposed to be handled by trained professionals who know how to keep themselves and others safe.

So there you have it, kiddo! Isopropyl nitrate is a chemical made of carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen that's used to help engines run better when added to gasoline. But, it's important to remember that it's not something you should handle on your own.