What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Accelerator vs Accelerant - What's the difference?

accelerator | accelerant |

In chemistry terms the difference between accelerator and accelerant

is that accelerator is a substance which speeds up chemical reactions while accelerant is a substance used to catalyze the vulcanization of rubber.

As nouns the difference between accelerator and accelerant

is that accelerator is one who, or that which, accelerates while accelerant is any substance that can bond, mix, or disturb another substance and cause an increase in the speed of a natural or artificial chemical process.

accelerator

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • One who, or that which, accelerates.
  • A device for causing acceleration.
  • (chemistry) A substance which speeds up chemical reactions.
  • (vehicle) An accelerator pedal.
  • (photography) A chemical that reduces development time.
  • (physics) A device that accelerates charged subatomic particles.
  • (physiology, medical) A muscle or nerve that speed the performance of an action.
  • (computing) accelerator key
  • * 2002 , Davis Howard Chapman, Sams Teach Yourself Visual C++ .NET in 21 Days (page 187)
  • If they had allowed single-character accelerators , Windows wouldn't be able to determine whether the character was input or a shortcut.

    Synonyms

    * (sense) gas pedal, gas * (accelerates subatomic particles) particle accelerator, atom smasher

    Derived terms

    * accelerator pedal, (automotive): a pedal used to control a vehicle's speed * accelerator nerves, (physiology): nerves that speed up a bodily function * accelerator card, (computers): a device that speeds up computer processing * accelerator key, (computers): a key which a user can press to activate a menu or other element * particle accelerator

    accelerant

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (chemistry) Any substance that can bond, mix, or disturb another substance and cause an increase in the speed of a natural or artificial chemical process.
  • A substance that accelerates the development of a fire; especially some petroleum product used to spread an act of arson
  • (chemistry) A substance used to catalyze the vulcanization of rubber
  • See also

    * catalyst ----