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carbon dioxide

Primary Information
Secondary Information

Definition

Carbon dioxide is a colourless, odourless gas that is made up of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. Its chemical formula is CO2.

Carbon dioxide is naturally occurring and is found in the atmosphere, in the oceans, and in rocks. It is also produced by the respiration of animals and plants, and by the burning of fossil fuels.

Carbon dioxide is an important greenhouse gas that helps to trap heat in the atmosphere. This is beneficial for life on Earth, as it helps to keep the planet warm. However, too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can lead to global warming.

Carbon dioxide is used in a variety of industrial processes, such as the production of steel, plastics, and fertilisers. It is also used in fire extinguishers, carbonated beverages, and dry ice.

Here are some examples of how carbon dioxide is used in everyday life:

  • Carbon dioxide is used in fire extinguishers to put out fires. When carbon dioxide is released from a fire extinguisher, it displaces the oxygen in the air, which smothers the fire.
  • Carbon dioxide is used in carbonated beverages to give them their fizzy texture. When carbon dioxide is dissolved in water, it forms carbonic acid, which gives the beverage its sour taste.
  • Carbon dioxide is used in dry ice to keep food cold. Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide that has been cooled to a very low temperature. When dry ice sublimates, it turns directly from a solid to a gas, which absorbs heat from the surrounding environment. This helps to keep food cold.

How can the word be used?

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, which means that it traps heat in the atmosphere.

carbon dioxide

Different forms of the word

Noun: Carbon dioxide.

Adjective: Carbon dioxide.

Verb: To carbon dioxide.

Adverb: Carbon dioxide-rich.

Plural: Carbon dioxides.

Etymology

The word "carbon dioxide" comes from the combination of two Latin words: "carbo", meaning "coal" and "dioxide", meaning "two times oxygen". This is because carbon dioxide is made up of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms.

Question

How is carbon dioxide produced?

AQA Science Exam Question and Answer

Question:

Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the Earth's atmosphere.

(a) Explain how carbon dioxide traps heat in the atmosphere.

(b) Describe two ways in which the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is increasing.

Answer:

(a) Carbon dioxide traps heat in the atmosphere by absorbing infrared radiation. Infrared radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation that is emitted by the Earth's surface. When carbon dioxide molecules absorb infrared radiation, they vibrate and release the energy as heat. This process helps to keep the Earth's atmosphere warm.

(b) Two ways in which the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is increasing are:

The burning of fossil fuels: When fossil fuels are burned, they release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Fossil fuels are the main source of carbon dioxide emissions in the world.

Deforestation: When trees are cut down, they release the carbon dioxide that they have stored in their tissues. Deforestation is a major contributor to the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.

Here are some additional points that could be included in the answer:

The increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels is a major concern because it is contributing to climate change.

Climate change is causing the Earth's temperature to rise, which is having a number of negative effects, such as melting glaciers, rising sea levels, and more extreme weather events.

There are a number of things that can be done to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, such as using less fossil fuels, switching to renewable energy sources, and planting trees.