Gas Chemistry Flashcards
AI (40 cards)
What percentage of the atmosphere is nitrogen?
About 78%.
What percentage of the atmosphere is oxygen?
About 21%.
What percentage of the atmosphere is carbon dioxide?
About 0.03–0.04%.
What percentage of the atmosphere is argon?
About 1%.
What are the other components of air besides major gases?
Small proportions of other noble gases and varying proportions of water vapour.
What type of bond makes nitrogen unreactive?
A triple covalent bond.
Why is nitrogen unreactive?
Its triple bond is very strong and stable, requiring high energy to break.
What are two uses of nitrogen?
As a coolant and in food packaging.
Why is nitrogen used as a coolant?
It is inert and can reach very low temperatures in liquid form.
Why is nitrogen used in food packaging?
To displace oxygen and prevent food spoilage.
What is the test for ammonia?
Use a glass rod dipped in concentrated hydrochloric acid — white fumes of ammonium chloride form.
What is ammonia used to make?
Fertilisers, by reacting with acids to form ammonium salts.
How is hydrogen gas prepared in the lab?
By reacting zinc (or other metals) with hydrochloric acid.
What are the physical properties of hydrogen?
It is a colourless, odourless, flammable gas that is less dense than air.
Name two uses of hydrogen.
Used in weather balloons and in the hardening of oils.
Why is hydrogen considered a clean fuel?
It produces only water when burned, no CO₂ or pollutants.
How is oxygen gas prepared in the lab?
By the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide using manganese dioxide.
What are the physical properties of oxygen?
It is a colourless, odourless gas that supports combustion.
Name two uses of oxygen.
In medicine (breathing aids) and welding.
What is the reaction of carbon with oxygen?
Carbon + oxygen → carbon dioxide (acidic oxide).
What is the reaction of sulfur with oxygen?
Sulfur + oxygen → sulfur dioxide (acidic oxide).
What is the reaction of magnesium with oxygen?
Magnesium + oxygen → magnesium oxide (basic oxide).
What is the reaction of iron with oxygen?
Iron + oxygen → iron oxide (basic oxide).
What is the reaction of copper with oxygen?
Copper + oxygen → copper oxide (basic oxide).
