What are the Properties of Carbon Dioxide?
Carbon dioxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is among the most prevalent gaseous materials in the world. It is found nearly everywhere in the Earth's atmosphere, and plays an important part in many biological processes. Human beings release carbon dioxide during natural metabolic processes, while plants use carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. It is also used in many popular items including fizzy drinks, yeast and baked goods, and “dry” fire extinguishers.
The properties of carbon dioxide can be categorized by whether they describe the physical, chemical, or environmental features of this gas. Physically, carbon dioxide is very stable, and is largely unaffected as it interacts with many other materials in the atmosphere. The physical properties of this substance can vary by temperature however. While this material is a gas under most conditions, carbon dioxide forms a solid substance at temperatures below -70 degrees Celsius (-94° Fahrenheit). It may also transform into a liquid when it is dissolved in water under constant pressure.
From a chemical or molecular standpoint, the properties of carbon dioxide are fairly constant under a wide range of conditions. A single carbon dioxide unit will always consist of a single carbon atom bonded to two atoms of oxygen. This bond is very strong, and helps to make carbon dioxide one of the most stable of all molecules.
Chemical properties of carbon dioxide are generally related to its level of acidity. While most carbon dioxide units are slightly acidic by nature, the level of acidity can be modified by dissolving the molecules in water. This process is performed in laboratories or industrial facilities because of the highly specialized nature of this work.
As concerns over global warming and climate change have increased, the properties of carbon dioxide have become a major source of debate for politicians and environmental activists. Carbon dioxide is considered a type of greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gases contribute to global warming by trapping heat within the Earth's atmosphere. As the heat is unable to escape, the temperature of the earth is increased, which may have devastating impacts on the environment and all life on earth.
In order to minimize the effects of global warming, people can work to offset or minimize their carbon output. One way to do this is to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. Processes that rely on oil-based energy sources release carbon dioxide as a natural by-product. To minimize greenhouse gas production, we can turn to cleaner energy sources such as solar or wind-based systems.
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![Sparkling water, which contains carbon dioxide.]()
By: StudiotouchSparkling water, which contains carbon dioxide. -
![The carbonation process gives soda pop its fizzy texture.]()
By: karandaevThe carbonation process gives soda pop its fizzy texture. -
![Carbon dioxide is used in some fire extinguishers.]()
By: isonphotoCarbon dioxide is used in some fire extinguishers.
Discussion Comments
@kentuckycat: Carbon monoxide isn't good to breathe in, because it, unlike carbon dioxide, sticks to the red blood cells (RBC) and prevents them from carrying oxygen. The blood cells that touch the carbon monoxide essentially become useless since they can't get rid of it. When too many RBCs are "contaminated," the body can die, because there isn't enough oxygen being delivered. Hope I helped!
@Emilski - Carbon dioxide is an effective greenhouse gas (for better or worse) because it can absorb solar radiation and keep it in our atmosphere. We need a certain amount of carbon in the atmosphere, otherwise the planet would be too cold to survive.
The problem we are having now is that we are burning fossil fuels, which are made of organic organisms from millions of years ago. When we burn that, the carbon that was trapped in the earth ends up in the atmosphere. More carbon equals more absorbed heat from the sun.
Part of the problem and solution revolves around our forests. Like the article says, and as you probably heard in school, plants take in carbon dioxide. Trees especially can trap carbon in their wood, so the more trees we have, the more carbon we can pull from the atmosphere. Unfortunately, deforestation is a big problem in many parts of the world.
Is carbon dioxide a part of any important compounds? What makes CO2 so stable? Isn't it something to do with the electrons?
Is the stability part of what makes it a greenhouse gas? How exactly do these work to trap in heat on the earth? How do they end up there in the first place, and is there anything we can do to fix the problem besides stopping burning fossil fuels?
@kentuckycat - I'm not sure about the steel question, but I can tell you about the differences between carbon monoxide and dioxide.
I assume you're talking about carbon monoxide being bad to breathe in from the standpoint of being stuck in a garage with a running car or something. I'm also pretty sure that carbon monoxide is released when you have a leak in your gas line. Now a lot of smoke alarms come with a carbon monoxide detector.
As far as I know, the carbon monoxide isn't toxic or anything. It is just bad from the standpoint carbon dioxide can be bad in that it replaces oxygen in the air that you breathe in. Eventually you will suffocate if there is too much carbon monoxide around.
Is one of the uses of carbon dioxide an additive in steel to make it harder? I know that when they make steel, they add in carbon, but I'm not sure what form it is in.
I was wondering about carbon monoxide, too. I know it is just a carbon and oxygen molecule joined together, but how does it get formed, and why is carbon monoxide so bad to breathe in, but carbon dioxide is okay? Does it have something to do with reactions in our bodies or something?
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