2006-10-29 10:43:19 · 4 answers · asked by P6890T 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
There're various ways of separating N2 and O2... mainly through physical and chemical ways.
One example of physical way has been mentioned above.
Chemically, one can use compounds that react or absorb on of the gas, leaving behind the other.
Molecular sieve can be used for this purpose...or chemically active compounds that react with oxygen but not with nitrogen such as basic solution of pyrgallol (C6H3(OH)3), active metals (such as sodium, not lithium and alkaline earth metals as the latters react with N2 as well), and many others.
2006-10-29 11:15:32 · answer #1 · answered by ArcH 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The previous answer doesn't work, because they are both gases. Since they are both gases, they will remain mixed. The only way to separate them is to start cooling them to very cold temperatures. If you cool air to -183 degrees C, oxygen will condense into a liquid. Then, you can separate the liquid oxygen from the nitrogen, which will still be a gas.
2006-10-29 10:59:50 · answer #2 · answered by hcbiochem 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to separate them! They will separate themselves because of their density. Nitrogen's density is 1.2506 kg/m3. Oxygen's density is 1.429 kg/m3. When something is less dense than another, it floats on top of the other substance. Apparently, nitrogen is less dense than oxygen. So, the nitrogen would just rest on top of the oxygen if there was no other substances in the room.
2006-10-29 10:49:06 · answer #3 · answered by Kris 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
N2 and O2 are separated by fractional distilation of liquid air. They havae different boiling points.
2006-10-29 11:05:00 · answer #4 · answered by science teacher 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋