Re: Organic chem -- or was it "ethanol"

[Noel Jason Bolduc <astros@WPI.EDU>]

> > help me with my job.  One of my fellow editors on the encyclopedia is 
> > working on automobile racing articles and is wondering what "ethanol" 
> > gasoline is?  Is this just regular gasoline? Unleaded?  I've heard of 
> > the word before, and methanol as well (which I believe uses methane), 
> 
> It notes how many carbons are in the chain:
> 
> methanol -- 1 carbon alcohol
> ethanol -- 2 carbon alcohol
> propanol -- 3 carbon alcohol
> butanol -- 4 carbon alcohol
> ...

Ethyl Alcohol (ethanol) isn't burned purely, it is an additive to normal 
gasoline that makes it burn less efficient, but producing more power.  It 
is usually used in racing.