Glossary of Terms - C

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Cap rock: The cap rock keeps underground natural gas deposits from escaping upward. Granite is a common cap rock.

Carbon dioxide: A colorless, odorless, nonpoisonous gas that is a normal part of the air we breathe. Carbon dioxide is exhaled by humans and animals, and is absorbed by green growing things and by the sea. Carbon dioxide molecules consist of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. A small amount of carbon dioxide is found in natural gas.

Carbon monoxide: A colorless, odorless, poisonous gas that is formed when fuel is burned without enough oxygen. Carbon monoxide alarms can be installed in the home to alert people to its presence. Carbon monoxide molecules consist of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom.

Circuit: A circular path in which electricity travels.

Circuit breaker: An automatic switch that turns off when a circuit gets a short or overloaded.

Coal: A fuel consisting of black or brown rock that is taken out of the ground at large mines.

Combustible: Capable of burning.

Combustion: The process of burning.

Compressor station: A place where natural gas is pressurized to be sure it flows effectively through pipes.

Copper: A common reddish metallic element that is one of the best conductors of heat and electricity. Copper is one of the metals used inside electrical wires to help conduct electricity.

Conductor: Something that allows electricity to flow through it easily. Water and most metals are good conductors. Conductors can allow electricity to flow through them because the electrons in their atoms move between atoms very easily.

Cubic foot (cf): The most common unit of measurement of natural gas volume. It takes eight gallons of liquid to equal one cubic foot. One hundred cubic feet equals one therm.

Cubic meter: A common unit of measurement of natural gas volume. It takes 1,000 liters of liquid to equal one cubic foot.

Current: The electrical flow through a wire.

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