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It's not a mineral because it's not a solid.

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14y ago

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Does petroleum jelly have gasoline in it?

No, petroleum jelly does not contain gasoline. Petroleum jelly is made from a mixture of mineral oils and waxes, while gasoline is a refined petroleum product used as fuel for engines.


Does Vaseline have petroleum in it?

Yes, Vaseline is a brand of petroleum jelly, and it does contain petroleum-derived ingredients. It is made from a combination of mineral oils and waxes, which are byproducts of the petroleum refining process.


Why petroleum is not a mineral?

A mineral needs to be inorganic (no carbon in it and petroleum DEFINITELY has carbon) and a mineral also needs to be a solid and have a crystal structure, which only solids have. A2-out of curiosity and to learn more, I looked up "mineral" in Wikipedia. Certainly it should be a solid, crystalline, and have a defined chemical composition. Thus mixtures of minerals as often found are excluded, at least until separated. Interestingly, the Wiki article does mention organic minerals including hydrocarbons! A complication is that the term "mineral oil" is often used to describe liquids obtained from crude oil. These come under a separate Wikipedia heading for Mineral Oils. However it appears to strictly be a misnomer, some other name such as "Natural Non-Vegetable Oils" might be better but the present use of the term Mineral Oil is probably too well established.


What are two reasons why petroleum not a mineral?

Petroleum is not a mineral because it is organic in origin, coming from the remains of ancient plants and animals. Additionally, petroleum is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons, while minerals are naturally occurring inorganic substances with a specific chemical composition and crystal structure.


Two reasons why petroleum is not a mineral?

Petroleum is not a mineral because it is an organic substance formed from the decay of prehistoric plants and animals, while minerals are inorganic. Additionally, petroleum does not have a crystalline structure like minerals do, nor does it fit within the traditional definition of a mineral as a naturally occurring solid with a specific chemical composition.