Made up of two oxygen atoms and a carbon atom.
Type of bonding : Covalent bonding
Harms of carbon dioxide :
Carbon dioxide is a gas exhaled out of our body during respiration. When we breathe in too much carbon dioxide such as caught in a fire , it will pose harm to our respiratory system and we will feel very stuffy. If we accumulate too much carbon dioxide in our body , we will feel panicky easily and will suffer from sleep apnoea, in which we will lose control of our breathing.
Carbon dioxide also contributes to global warming by absorbing heat energy from the earth, trapping it and preventing its release into space. CO2 does not, however, absorb the light energy from the sun. In short, carbon dioxide lets in the light energy emitted by the sun but traps the earth's heat energy. Rising levels of carbon dioxide mean that more of the earth's heat energy is trapped.
This is similar to a greenhouse, which is one reason global warming is sometimes called the "greenhouse effect." The increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere through fossil fuel consumption and land clearing causes CO2 to form a kind of atmospheric blanket that traps an increasing amount of the earth's heat, causing global temperatures to rise.
Constituent elements
1. Carbon
Carbon is a naturally abundant nonmetallic element which forms the basis of most living organisms. Carbon is the fourth most abundant element in the universe, and it plays a crucial role in the health and stability of the planet through the carbon cycle.This cycle is extremely complex, and it illustrates the interconnection between organisms on Earth. Most consumers are familiar with the element, along with numerous forms in which it appears.
The atomic number of carbon is six, and the element is identified by the symbol “C” on the periodic table. The structure of carbon molecules is such that the molecules bond readily with a wide range of other elements, forming thousands of compounds. The molecules in carbon also bond with each other in different ways, creating forms of carbon such as diamonds, the hardest substance on Earth, and graphite, one of the softest materials on the planet. The changing personality of carbon, depending on what it bonds with and how, makes it a very unique element.
Carbon itself, along with many of its forms, is relatively nonreactive. When it combines with some other elements such as hydrogen, carbon becomes more reactive, and this reactiveness is used to the advantage of industry. In the case of hydrocarbons, the compound is used as a source of energy. The immense versatility of carbon makes it highly useful in a number of industries. Carbon is burned to create fuel, used to filter various substances, and combined with iron to make steel. It also is used as the basis of drawing pencils and charcoals, to make synthetics like plastic, and, in the form of an isotope, as a dating tool for archaeologists.
On its own, carbon is not very dangerous, since it is nontoxic and nonreactive. However, some forms of carbon can be harmful to some organisms, such as carbon monoxide. Carbon may also appear in conjunction with more dangerous elements, or it may generate harmful dust in the case of coal and diamonds. Individual precautions for different forms of carbon vary widely, and it is a good idea to consult a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) if you are concerned about a particular substance.
Oxygen
Oxygen is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gaseous chemical element which appears in great abundance on Earth, trapped by the atmosphere. Many people are familiar with oxygen, because it is a vital component of the respiration process; without oxygen, most organisms will die within minutes. A number of forms of oxygen and oxygen compounds can be found in nature. Oxygen can also be isolated and sold in pure form for an assortment of uses, and was first isolated and identified in 1774.
The atomic number of oxygen is eight, and it is identified by an O symbol on the periodic table of elements. In addition to being very widely distributed on Earth, oxygen is also the third most abundant element in the universe, and it is a key catalyst in many chemical reactions. Oxidation is one such reaction, and it occurs when oxygen mixes with other elements and compounds. Oxygen also plays a role in combustion.
In medicine, oxygen has a number of uses. It is sometimes offered therapeutically, to patients who are having difficulty breathing. It is also used in anesthesia mixtures, ensuring that the patient gets a consistent supply of oxygen while unconscious. The element also plays a role in welding and industry, being combined with substances to make welding torches.
Although pure oxygen is used medicinally and recreationally, as it brings about a state of mild euphoria, it is potentially dangerous. In high pressure environments, oxygen toxicity can damage the lungs, often quite severely. Depending on the pressure, symptoms may emerge right away, or they may take several hours to manifest, at which point it can be too late. Oxygen also represents a serious combustion hazard, and some oxygen compounds such as ozone and hydrogen peroxide are extremely toxic. These compounds can damage cells and DNA if they are left unchecked. Living organisms should consume a diet high in antioxidants to help avert one form of this damage, caused by free radicals in the body.
Formation of carbon dioxide.
 |
| oxygen hydrogen oxygen |
Let's look at the covalent bonds within a carbon dioxide molecule.
In this top diagram we see the outer shells of the carbon atom and the two oxygen atoms before they join together. The carbon atom has 4 electrons in its outer shell, and each oxygen has six. To complete their outer shells each atom needs 8 electrons. So carbon needs to gain 4 electrons, and each oxygen atom needs to gain 2.
Because of the cloud-like nature of the electron, it can be in several places at once. An electron can move round two atoms at the same time. If an atom shares one of its electrons with another atom, BOTH atoms gain an electron, so filling a hole in their outer shells. So atoms join together to share pairs of electrons.
The carbon shares two of its electrons with each oxygen, so each oxygen gains 2 electrons and hence gains a full outer shell. Each oxygen shares two of its electrons with the carbon, so the carbon gains 4 electrons, and so gets a full outer shell too.
Each pair of electrons is called a covalent bond. So the carbon atom has 4 covalent bonds, two with each oxygen atom. We call these DOUBLE BONDs
No comments:
Post a Comment