Carbon dioxide

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Carbon dioxide

General
Systematic name	Carbon dioxide
Other names	Carbonic acid gas, Carbonic anhydride, dry ice (solid)
Molecular formula	CO₂
Molar mass	44.0095 g/mol
Appearance	colorless gas
CAS number	124-38-9
Properties
Density and phase	1600 kg/m³1.6 g/ml, solid 1.98 kg/m³0.00198 g/ml, gas at STP
Solubility in water	1.45 kg/m³
Melting point	−57 °C330.15 K 134.6 °F 594.27 °R, pressurized
Boiling point	−78 °C351.15 K 172.4 °F 632.07 °R, sublimes
Acidity (pK_a)	6.35 and 10.33
Viscosity	0.07 cP at −78 °C
Structure
Molecular shape	linear
Crystal structure	quartz-like
Dipole moment	zero
Hazards
MSDS	External MSDS
Main hazards	asphyxiant, irritant
NFPA 704	0 1 0
R/S statement	R: As, Fb S: S9, S23, S36(liquid)
RTECS number	FF6400000
Related compounds
Related oxides	carbon monoxide carbon suboxide dicarbon monoxide carbon trioxide
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Disclaimer and references

Carbon Dioxide is a odorless, colorless gas that makes up 0.033% of the Earth's surface. It is used in a number of things including fire extinguishers, dry ice, and beverage carbonation. Carbon Dioxide is made up of two Oxygen atoms, and one Carbon atom. It is widely referred to as CO₂, and is a major component of the Carbon cycle. Carbon Dioxide is released into the air every time a fossil fuel is burnt. It is also incombustible, tasteless, and about 1.5 times as heavy as air.

Properties

As the picture in the gallery below shows, Carbon Dioxide is made up of one Carbon atom and two Oxygen atoms. The Lewis structure consists of a single Carbon atom that has double bonds connecting it to each of the Oxygen atoms, leaving the outer electron shell completely filled, therefore following the octet rule.

Occurrences

Carbon dioxide occurs naturally through different methods, including volcanic out-gassing, combustion of organic matter, and respiration processes of living organisms. People can produce Carbon dioxide by burning fossil fuels for heating, by running an automobile, or by using a power generator. The six main processes of manufacturing Carbon dioxide are; from a byproduct of ammonia and hydrogen plants, in which methane is converted into CO₂, from burning fossil fuels, from fermentation, from thermal decomposition of CaCO₃, from byproducts of sodium phosphate manufacture, and directly from natural Carbon dioxide gas wells.

Uses

Carbon dioxide is used in several different things, including the more well-known substances we use on occasion, such as dry ice (a refrigerant, solid form of CO₂), carbonation in beverages (like Pepsi or Coke), and in fire extinguishers. It is rated as the 22nd most produced chemicals in the United States. Plants use CO₂ in the photosynthesis process to make carbohydrates, a major energy source in the diet of animals. Carbon dioxide also causes the rising of bread dough, because it is formed by the action of yeast or baking powder. It is also used in water softening, the making of aspirin and lead paint pigments, and in the process for making sodium carbonate. In fire extinguishers, Carbon dioxide is used to smother the fire by spraying it out of a nozzle.