Simple Molecular Structures

Oxygen- 21% of air

Carbon Dioxide- 0.04 % of air

Nitrogen – 78% of air

Oxygen

Percentage calculations of oxygen in air:

React oxygen in the air with reduced copper, and the total volume of the gas will reduce by 21%,
representing the volume of oxygen that has reacted.

Oxygen can be produced by the reaction of hydrogen peroxide using a manganese dioxide catalyst.

Oxygen (like all gases) becomes less soluble in water as temperature increases.

Vigorous reaction of elements with oxygen is known as combustion. This is exothermic, and
produces a lot of energy.

Carbon Dioxide

Carbon Dioxide can be prepared in the laboratory by reaction of an acid and a carbonate. It can also
be produced by the thermal decomposition of carbonates.

It is a greenhouse gas. Increasing amounts of co2 is one of the causes of global warming.

Tests

Hydrogen- Using a lit splint, if Hydrogen is present, there will be a squeaky pop.

Oxygen- Relights a glowing splint.

Carbon Dioxide- Bubble gas through limewater. Will go cloudy if carbon dioxide is present.

Ammonia- Turns damp red litmus paper blue.

Chlorine- Bleaches damp blue litmus paper white

Water Vapour- Anhydrous copper sulphate will turn from white to blue if water is present.