Lesson Objectives

To be able to:
• Know the properties of CO2
• Know how to prepare CO2.
• Know some Chemical reactions of CO2
• Know the uses of CO2
The Atmosphere 300km Thermosphere

Storage of huge amounts of

Protection of all life
from hazardous or
nitrogen (important for plants).
deadly radiation from
space (filter for UV- and Transport of water vapour
X-rays from sun) through dynamic processes of
general air circulation that
determines precipitation
Reservoir for
carbon dioxide
and oxygen. 10km Trophosphere

Protection from smaller meteorites

Composition
• for dry air:
– nitrogen - 78%
– oxygen - 21%
– argon - almost 1%
– water - varies by climate
Lake Nyos, Cameroon
August 21st 1986- Lake kills 1,700
Carbon Dioxide gas killed all living things within a
15-mile (25km) radius of the lake

Rev A Feb 2007 Ms. Hennessey

Discovery of Carbon
Dioxide
Scottish Chemist Joseph Black
found that limestone (Calcium
Carbonate) l could be heated or
treated with acids to yield a gas
he called "fixed air."
He observed that the fixed air
was denser than air and did not
support either flame or animal
life.
Carbon Dioxide
• Carbon dioxide is a chemical compound
composed of one carbon and two oxygen
atoms.
• It is often referred to by its formula CO2.
• The elements bond by sharing electrons.

O C O
Double Covalent Bond
The Carbon Dioxide Molecule
Carbon
Oxygen Oxygen

6P
8P
O C
6N
8P
O
8N 8N

CO2

A Double Covalent Bond

• It is present in the Earth’s Atmosphere
at a low concentration and acts as a
Greenhouse gas.

• In its SOLID state, it is called dry ice.

• It is a major component of the Carbon

Cycle.
Carbon Cycle
Carbon dioxide in the Air

Photosynthesis

Internal Internal
Respiration Respiration

Burning Decay

Green Plants Animals

Properties of CO2
Physical
Colourless, Odourless,
Tasteless Gas.
Denser (heavier) than air.
(Density is 1.5 times > air)
Slightly soluble in water
Chemical
Does not support combustion.
Acidic turning blue litmus red.
Turns limewater milky
Dissolves in water to form an
acid solution (Carbonic Acid – H2CO3)
 The Preparation of CO2

• Carbon Dioxide is prepared by reacting

dilute Hydrochloric Acid (HCl) with
Marble Chips (Calcium Carbonate CaCO3)

CaCO3 + 2HCl → CaCl2 + CO2 + H2O

The Collection of CO2
Carbon Dioxide is collected

• by the upward displacement of air (its

denser than air).
Or
• over water (it is only slightly soluble in
water)
Preparation of Carbon Dioxide

Rev A Feb 2009 Ms. Hennessey

Tests for Carbon Dioxide
Turns Blue Extinguishes Turns
Litmus Red a burning Candle Limewater Milky

Acidity Combustion Limewater

Uses of Carbon Dioxide

• Photosynthesis – used by green plants

to make food (glucose) which is stored in
the plant as starch.

• Fire extinguishers

• Carbonation of soft drinks.

Reactions of Carbon Dioxide
Lime water + Carbon Dioxide -> Chalk + water
Ca(OH)2 + CO2 -> CaCO3 + H2O

Water + Carbon Dioxide -> Carbonic Acid

H2O + CO2 -> H2CO3
 Dry Ice
• Solid CO2 is referred to
as dry ice and has a
number of advantages
over common ice
– Much colder and can obtain a
temperature of (-78oC)
– It does melt into a liquid by
‘sublimes’ changes from a
solid to a gas.
Uses include:
- Cooling foods during
transportation
- Coolant in nuclear reactors
- Special effects on stage.

Rev B Feb 2009 Ms. Hennessey