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Talk:Oil

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Self-referential definition[edit]

The definition reads "An oil is any nonpolar chemical substance that is composed primarily of hydrocarbons and is hydrophobic (does not mix with water) and lipophilic (mixes with other oils)." Saying that "an oil is a substance that mixes with other oils" does not define it or explain what substances can be oils.

In the interest of removing the potential for confusion, I suggest we change this openning paragraph to: "An oil is any nonpolar chemical substance that is composed primarily of hydrocarbons and is hydrophobic (does not mix with water). Oils are lipophilic (mixes with other oils), usually flammable and surface active. " RopeAndLampOil (talk) 12:36, 23 June 2024 (UTC)[reply]