THE PROPERTIES OF OXYGEN AND CARBON DIOXIDE

Oxygen

and carbon dioxide are two of the most important gases in the air. Each gas in the air can be identified because each type of gas has its own properties. Properties of oxygen and carbon dioxide can be distinguished by conducting several test.

Activity 1: To show the properties of O2 and CO2

(A) Solubility in water Procedure - A test tube filled with O2 and a test tube filled with CO2 were each inverted into a basin of water. - The water level in each test tube was observed

Observation
The

water level rises slightly in the test tube containing oxygen. The water level also rises slightly in the test tube containing carbon dioxide

(B) Reaction with sodium hydroxide solution Procedure - A test tube filled with O2 and test tube filled with CO2 were each inverted into a beaker containing sodium hydroxide solution as shown in figure. - The level of sodium hydroxide solution in each test tube was observed

Observation
The

level of sodium hydroxide solution does not change in the test tube containing oxygen. The level of sodium hydroxide solution rises in the test tube containing carbon dioxide.

(C) Effect on glowing wooden splinter

Procedure - A glowing wooden splinter was inserted into a test tube containing O2. - The test tube was repeated by using a test tube containing CO2

Observation
The

glowing wooden splinter ignites when put into the test tube containing O2. The glowing wooden splinter goes out when put into the test tube containing CO2

(D) Effect on burning wooden splinter

Procedure - A burning wooden splinter was inserted into a test tube containing O2. - Step 1 was repeated by using a test tube containing CO2

Observation
The

burning wooden splinter burns more brightly when put into the test tube containing O2 burning wooden splinter goes out when put into the test tube containing CO2

The

(E) Effect on moist litmus paper

Procedure A piece of moist blue litmus paper and a piece of moist red litmus paper were put into a test tube containing O2 - The test tube was repeated using a test tube containing CO2
-

Observation
The

moist blue and red litmus papers do not change colour when put into the test tube containing O2. The moist blue litmus paper changes colour from blue to red when put into the test tube containing CO2.

(F) Effect on lime water

Procedure - 2 cm2 of lime water was poured into a test tube containing O2 - The test tube was shaken and observed. - Step 1 and 2 were repeated using a test tube containing CO2

Observation
The

lime water remains clear when poured into the test tube containing oxygen. The lime water turns cloudy when poured into the test tube containing carbon dioxide

(G) Effect on bicarbonate indicator

Procedure - A few drops of bicarbonate indicator were added into a test tube containing O2. - The test tube was shaken and the colour of the bicarbonate indicator was observed. - Step 1and 2 were repeated using a test tube containing CO2

Observation
The

bicarbonate indicator does not change colour when added to the test tube containing oxygen. The bicarbonate indicator changes colour from red to yellow when added to the test tube containing carbon dioxide

The properties of oxygen and carbon dioxide

Properties Solubility in water Oxygen - Slightly soluble Carbon dioxide - Slightly soluble

Solubility in sodium hydroxide solution Effect on glowing wooden splinter

- Not soluble

- Very soluble

- The splinter ignites - Oxygen support burning - No change

-The

splinter goes

Effect on lime water

out - carbon dioxide does not support burning - lime water turns cloudy

Properties
Effect on burning wooden splinter
-

Oxygen
Splinter burns more brightly. - Oxygen supports burning
-Oxygen -

Carbon dioxide
Splinter goes out. - Carbon dioxide does not support burning.

Effect on moist blue litmus paper and red litmus paper

has not effect - Blue litmus paper; on blue litmus paper Changes to red and red litmus paper. - Red litmus paper; No - Oxygen is a neutral change of colour gas - CO2 is an acidic gas - No change - Changes the colour of bicarbonate indicator from red to yellow

Effect on bicarbonate indicator

Test for determining the presence of O2 and CO2

The

presence of O2 can be tested using a glowing splint. If the glowing splint rekindles, O2 is present. This is because O2 supports combustion. The presence of CO2 can be determine using lime water. If the lime water turns chalky, CO2 is present