nitrous

Nitrous oxide, commonly referred to as nitrous or laughing gas, is a chemical compound with the formula N2O. It is a colorless, non-flammable gas with a slightly sweet odor. Nitrous oxide is used medically and as a food additive, and it also serves as an oxidizer in some rocket and automotive applications. It is produced industrially by controlled decomposition of ammonium nitrate, with careful temperature management to minimize risk of detonation; it is stored as a compressed gas in pressurized cylinders.

Historically, nitrous oxide was synthesized in the 18th century and studied by Humphry Davy, who identified its analgesic properties. In the 19th century it began to be used as an anesthetic in dentistry and surgery.

Major uses include: medicine and dentistry, where it provides analgesia and sedation during procedures; the food industry, where it is used as a propellant in whipped cream canisters; and the automotive sector, where nitrous oxide injection systems briefly increase engine power. In rocketry and propulsion, nitrous oxide has been used as an oxidizer in some small-scale or experimental systems and in certain hybrid designs.

Safety and environmental aspects: inhalation lowers the concentration of oxygen reaching the brain, risking hypoxia; medical use is accompanied by oxygen administration. Long-term or high-level exposure can cause vitamin B12 deficiency and nerve damage. Recreational use poses risks of dizziness, loss of consciousness, and injury. Environmentally, nitrous oxide is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential of about 298 and a long atmospheric lifetime.