i know carbon monoxide sinks, what about co2?
2007-07-25 23:57:31 · 12 answers · asked by baby jesus 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
CO2 or Carbon Dioxide is slightly heavyer than air so it sinks. Carbon Dioxide is heavier than Carbon monoxide by the extra oxygen atom. Mono- means on, di- means 2, Carbon monoxide has on Oxygen Atom, Carbon Dioxide has 2.
2007-07-26 00:03:08 · answer #1 · answered by Kaz Wilkosz 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
OK, so as others have said, pure CO2 is heavier than air so would sink, especially it is cold subliming from dry ice (solid CO2). However all fluids (liquids and gases) experience brownian motion in which individual molecules mix throughout the complete fluid phase. Thus in the atmospheric mixture, CO2 does not sink but is intimately mixed with other gases. The atmosphere is stratified and is strictly not one uniform phase so that we actually get various levels with different concentrations of substances at the different pressures and temperatures with mixing driven more by the 6 global atmospheric cells - good "hadley cell" for more on this.
The word sink is used to describe how CO2 and other substances for that matter are absorbed out of the atmosphere and the C is incorporated into oceanic biomass thus acting as a sink (compared to a source) for the CO2.
2007-07-26 01:58:30 · answer #2 · answered by oldhombre 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Okay, some RMMs (relative molecular masses)
Nitrogen - 14
Carbon - 12
Oxygen - 16
So, air is roughly 80% N2, and 20% O2, so has an RMM of 0.8x28 + 0.2x32 = 28.8
Carbon Monoxide 16 + 12 = 28 (so it is lighter than air, but only just)
Carbon Dioxide 12 + 2x16 = 44
It is heavier than air, so would sink in confined spaces. However, in free air, diffusion, wind, thermal effects and so forth would mix it with the rest of the atmosphere, which is why there isn't a layer of CO2 on the ground.
2007-07-26 00:27:58 · answer #3 · answered by sweets 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
CO2 is heavier than air and thus sinks to the bottom of the room. All are equally affected by gravity but the lighter gases rise to the higher levels and heavier gases settle at the lower levels. Cold air is heavier compared to hot air for example.
2007-07-26 00:03:23 · answer #4 · answered by Swamy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
CO2 (Mol.mass = 44), is 1.5 times the density of air and therefore will sink if there's no air movement.
(Flowers produce CO2 at night and, for this reason they're not allowed in hospital wards overnight).
(CO Mol.mass = 28, same as N2 and near enough to the density of air (29)...CO (& N2) are very, very slightly lighter while O2 at 32 is very slightly heavier).
2007-07-26 12:33:11 · answer #5 · answered by Norrie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the absence of air circulation it will slowly sink but it is only slightly heavier than air so the slightest air movement is likely to disperse it.
Incidedentally, Carbon Monoxide is slightly LIGHTER than air so will tend to rise.
2007-07-26 01:12:22 · answer #6 · answered by tomsp10 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of the co2 sinks into oceans
2007-07-26 00:12:31 · answer #7 · answered by Julie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope CO2 sinks. If you get dry ice (a form of CO2 that goes directly from solid to gas) and watch the vapour as it boils, the vapour sinks.
2007-07-26 00:05:00 · answer #8 · answered by isildurs_babe 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Carbon dioxide is heavier so it sinks in air but will not stay separate,it will mix completely by diffusion.
2007-07-26 08:26:44 · answer #9 · answered by L D 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
CO2 also sinks - its a heavy gas and is water soluble.
2007-07-26 00:06:08 · answer #10 · answered by StephE 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋