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Carbon Dioxide:

Experiment: Creation of Carbon Dioxide

Steps:

  1. Set up apparatus as shown

  2. Drop a controlled amount of hydrochloric acid (hcl2) on to the calcium carbonate (caco3). There will be a "fizzing" noise

  3. Continue adding acid from time to time

  4. Prepare 3 jars of carbon dioxide

Properties of Carbon Dioxide and proof of properties:

  • Carbon Dioxide is an odourless colourless gas

  • Placing a glowing splint into a jar of carbon dioxide will extinguish the flame as carbon dioxide does not support combustion

  • When you buble carbon dioxide through a substance called limewater it becomes milky. This is because limeawater is a solution of calcium hydroxide. When the carbon dioxide reacts with the calcium hydroxide it shows up calcium carbonate or chalk

  • Carbon dioxide is denser than air. We can prove this by hanging a meter stick a 50cm (center of gravity) from a retort stand. This now acts like a scales. We then place a gas jar of air at 10cm and the other at 90cm and we should see the side with the carbon dioxide dropping proving it is denser than air

  • Carbon dioxide mixes with water to form a weak carbonic acid (you will have learned about this in geography). To prove this we bubble carbon dioxide through a test tube with water. We then add a few drops of litmus solution. The water will turn a red colour indicating the water is acidic and that a weak carbonic acid has been created

 

 

Exam Tip: In the science paper as well as stating the properties of carbon dioxide you may also have to prove these properties
Experiment to show Carbon Dioxide cannot support combustion.
Uses of Carbon Dioxide:

  • Carbon dioxide is used in fire extinguishers as not only does it not support combustion but it is heavier then air and can be used to smother fires

  • Fizzy Drinks: Carbon Dioxide is present in all fizyy drinks. This is what gives it a sharp taste. As it is not very soluble in water it has to be kept under great pressure

  • Dry Ice: When carbon dioxide is placed under great pressure it turns into a solid. This solid is known as dry ice and is often used on stage for special effects. It can also be used instead of ice to cool things as it does not melt and is colder

Summary of Properties:

Physical Properties:                                                                 Chemical Properties:

 

-Slightly soluble in water                                                         - Does not support combustion

 

-Denser than air                                                                        - Turns limewater milky

 

-Odourless, colourless and tasteless gas                               - Forms carbonic acid when mixed with water

Left: Dry Ice is so cold that it can cause severe burns.
 
Right: There are different versions of fire extinguisher besides co2 extinguishers there are also powder versions.

© 2016 by Vincent Savage and John Harrington. Young Scientists and Historians

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