Carbon dioxide CO2 | Properties | Uses | and Facts

Properties Uses and Facts about Carbon Dioxide

What is Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide is a chemical compound, its chemical formula is CO2, its molecule consists of one atom of carbon and two atoms of oxygen. It is a colourless, odorless and sour gas in taste. This gas is found naturally in the Earth's atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is one of the most important gases found in the atmosphere, as all plants use this gas to produce carbohydrates, a primary source of food on Earth, in a process called photosynthesis. All living beings and humans depend directly and indirectly on plants for food, so carbon dioxide gas is essential for the existence of life on earth. Apart from this, it is also an important greenhouse gas that helps in trapping the sun's heat in our atmosphere, due to which our earth does not get too cold, and the earth's atmosphere remains suitable for living organisms.

Carbon dioxide Properties Uses and Facts

Properties of Carbon Dioxide

• It is a colourless, odorless and sour-tasting gas.
• Its density is 1.87 kg per cubic meter, so this gas is heavier than normal air.
• Its melting point is -56.6 °C, while its boiling point is -78.46 °C.
• The melting point of carbon dioxide is higher than its boiling point.
• Carbon dioxide is not a flammable gas.
• It is soluble in water, as the temperature increases, its solubility in water decreases.
• Carbon dioxide is a gas of acidic nature.
• Carbon dioxide dissolves in water to form carbonic acid.

Uses of Carbon Dioxide

• The most important use of carbon dioxide by plants is in the process of photosynthesis.
• This gas is heavier than normal air, so it displaces air, it is also non-flammable, so it is used as a fire extinguishing gas.
• It is used in the production of carbonated beverages.
• It is also used as a refrigerant.
• Carbon dioxide is used along with ammonia as a component in the production of urea.
• Dry ice is used to create clouds of smoke on stage.
• Carbon dioxide is used to promote plant growth in a greenhouse.
• In medicine, 5% carbon dioxide is combined with oxygen for stimulation of breathing after apnea and to stabilize oxygen.
• Carbon dioxide is used to control the pH of swimming pools.

Production of Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide is produced commercially by burning natural gas.

Interesting facts about Carbon Dioxide

• An adult person produces about 1 kg of carbon dioxide per day.
• About 97% carbon dioxide gas is present in the atmosphere of Venus. Because of this high amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the surface of Venus retains heat from the Sun, allowing Venus to have a surface temperature of about 467 °C, making it the hottest planet in our Solar System.

Detailed Information on Some other Gases

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