INSTITUTO DE EDUCACIÓN SUPERIOR TECNOLOGICO

PUBLICO
“NUEVA ESPERANZA”

OXYGEN IN THE AIR

The percentage of oxygen in the air can be measured by passing a known volume of air over
hot copper, and measuring the decrease in volume as the oxygen reacts with it. Here are the
equations for this reaction:

copper + oxygen → copper oxide

2Cu(s) + O2(g) → 2CuO(s)

Gas syringes are used to measure the volume of gas in the experiment. The slideshow shows
there is 100 cm3 of air at the start:

Note that there is some air in the tube with the copper turnings. The oxygen in this air will also
react with the hot copper, causing a small error in the final volume recorded. To avoid the final
reading being too high, let the apparatus cool down at the end of the experiment.

Similar reactions can be done using iron or phosphorus instead of copper. Both of these
elements form solid oxides, so will appear to ‘use up’ the oxygen from the air.

Oxygen Meter
 INSTITUTO DE EDUCACIÓN SUPERIOR TECNOLOGICO
PUBLICO
“NUEVA ESPERANZA”

In the diverse PCE range you will find an oxygen meter for water and gases. We have available
an oxygen meter for water for both pure oxygencontent and for oxygen concentration. The
oxygen meter for water and gases has a water resistant design, interface and internal data
memory as well as the classical version for laboratories. The oxygen meter for gases follows
the security norms and is used for detection and measurement of methane, hydrogen sulfide,
carbon monoxide and oxygen (as well as 50 more gases).