easykemistry

Thursday, 18 December 2025

STATES OF MATTER

Matter can exist in three states,  that is, solid, liquid and gaseous The fundermental difference between these three is the forces of attraction (cohesive forces) between the particles, 

SOLID( strong cohesive forces)

LIQUID(weak cohesive forces)

GASES

Have definite shape and volume

Have no definite shape but definite volume

Have no definite shape and volume

Very dense

Less dense

Least dense

Incompressible

cannot be compressed 

Compressible

Fixed mass

Substances have a fixed mass

Fixed mass

Particle vibrate and rotate about a fixed point

Particles can vibrate as well as  move about within a restricted space

Particles move about constantly at great speed and at random

      

CHANGE OF STATE

MELTING

Melting is the physical process where a substance changes from a solid to a liquid. When a solid is heated, the particles acquire greater kinetic energy and move violently. A point is reached when the forces of vibration overcome the cohesive forces holding the solid particles together and the crystalline structure collapses. The particles are no longer held in fixed positions but are free to move about and the liquid state is reached. The temperature at which this occurs is called the melting point of the solid.

 

BOILING

When a liquid is heated, the rate of evaporation increases and the value of the saturated vapour pressure equal the prevailing atmospheric pressure. When this happens, the liquid is said to boil and the temperature at which this happen is known as the boiling point of the liquid.

The boiling point of a liquid change with change in atmospheric pressure. If the pressure is raised, the boiling point will increase and if the pressure is lowered the boiling point will decrease. Also, the presence of impurities increases the boiling point of a liquid.

EVAPORATION

Evaporation is the process of vapourization of liquids at all temperatures. When the surface of a liquid is exposed, the molecules near the surface of the liquid will acquire extra kinetic energy, large enough to enable them break away from the cohesive force binding them to the neighbouring particles. Once free, they escape from the liquid surface to become molecules in the vapour state.

 

Evaporation results in decrease in the volume of liquid and lowering the temperature of the liquid, therefore it causes cooling. Also, it occurs at all temperature but increases with increase in temperature. In addition, it is slower in electrovalent liquids than in covalent liquids.

 

DIFFERENCES BETWWEEN EVAPORATION AND BOILING

EVAPORATION

BOILING

Takes place at the surface of the liquid

Involves the entire volume of the liquid

Takes place at all temperature

Takes place at a fixed temperature

 

CONDENSATION AND FREEZING

Condensation is a process whereby a vapour loses some of its kinetic energy to a colder body and changes into the liquid state.

When a liquid cools, it loses heat energy to its surroundings, causing its temperature to drop. If the cooling continues, the temperature of the liquid keeps dropping until it reaches the freezing point of the liquid. At this temperature, the liquid changes into solid.

 

EVALUATION

1.     Describe the melting process of a solid.

2.     State two differences between evaporation and boiling.

 

KINETIC THEORY OF GASES

The theorypostulates the following for an ideal or perfect gas:

Gas molecules are in constant, rapid, straight motion, colliding with one another and with the walls of the container.

 

The collision of gas molecules is perfectly elastic.

The total volume of the gas molecule is negligible compared to the volume of the container.

The force of attraction between the gas molecules is negligible.

The average kinetic energy of the molecule is a measure of the temperature of the gas molecules.

 

PHENOMENA SUPPORTING THE KINETIC THEORY OF GASES

Brownian motion: This is the constant, irregular movement of particles in a liquid or gas. It shows that gas molecules are in constant motion.

Diffusion: Diffusion is the movement of particles from a region of higher concentration to lower concentration. Diffusion is common in gases and it results from the random movement of particles of a gas.

 


Wednesday, 26 November 2025

Electrolysis note for students

  IONIC THEORY

Ionic theory as proposed by Arrhenius states that when an ionic compound is dissolved in water or melted, some or all its particles dissociate (break up) into free moving charged particles called ions. This dissociation into ions is called ionization.

These free ions move randomly in all directions inside the solution. as seen in fig. A

But the ions lose their freedom as soon as an electric current is passed through the solution and they become orderly, surrounding themselves around the opposite pole or electrode as they begin to pull electrons from the electrodes or lose electrons to the electrodes and come out of the solution.

 Electrolysis is defined as the chemical decomposition of a compound by the passage of electricity through the solution of the compound or its molten form.


Terms commonly used in Electrolysis 

i. ELECTROLYTE: An electrolyte is a compound which allows the passage of electricity through its solution or its molten state and is decomposed in the process. 

Examples of electrolytes include dilute Acids and Alkalis and all electrovalent compounds like NaCl.

 Electrolytes are grouped in two

 1. Strong Electrolytes: These are compounds which ionize completely in solutions.

They usually have large amounts of ions in solution and hence are good conductors. Examples are all sodium and potassium salts, minerals acids, and caustic alkalis.

      NaCl(aq) →Na+(aq)  +  Cl-(aq)

Weak Electrolytes: These are compounds that ionize partially in solution

 There is slight dissociation of the ions in dilute solutions, and so they contain less ions in solution. Examples include organic acids, aqueous ammonia, etc.

   CH3COOH(aq) →CH3COO-(aq) + H+((aq)

 Non-Electrolytes: These are compounds which do not conduct electricity at all, whether molten or in solution 

 Non-electrolytes are mostly covalent compounds and only exist as molecules. Examples include vegetable oils, organic solvents like alcohols, benzene sugar solution 

  Conductor and Non-conductor

  Conductors:  These are metals which allow the passage of electricity through them.

 Examples include all metals in general Silver is the best conductor followed by copper and ionic solutions

 Non-conductor (Insulators): These are substances that do not conduct or allow electricity to pass through them.  Examples include wood, paper, air, rubber, plastic.

  Electrodes: these are wires rods or plates through which an electric current enters or leaves the electrolytes

2.  Anodes:  This is the positive electrode through which electrons leave electrolytes. It is  the electrode where oxidation occurs

 3. Cathode: This is the negative electrode through which electrons enter the electrolyte. It is also the electrode where reduction takes place

 4.  Cations: - these are positively charged ions. They migrate to the cathode (negative electrode) during electrolysis.

5.  Anions: these are negatively charged ions. They migrate to the anode (positive electrode) during electrolysis.


5. Electrolytic Cell: This is a vessel or container containing two electrons connected to a battery and an electrolyte. It is used for Electrolysis.

When electrolysis is carried out on the solution of an ionic compound. There are usually two cations and two anions which  migrate to the cathode and anode respectively but only one of each ion is  preferentially discharged at the electrodes.

The following factors determine which ion gets discharged at each electrode.

1. Position of ions in the electrochemical series.



The ions at the bottom of the series for the positive ions are preferentially discharged to the ions at the top of the series, for example for a solution of sodium chloride containing Na+ and Cl-, H+ and OH- hydrogen is below sodium in the series and so will be preferentially discharged. For non-metals the less electronegative element is preferentially discharged to the more electronegative. So OH- is preferentially discharged to Cl-

2. Concentration of ion in the electrolyte. For a concentrated solution of a salt, the more concentrated ion is preferentially discharged to the less concentrated ion. but concentration does not matter where there is a large gap between the two ions in the series.

3. Nature of the electrodes: - Electrodes that have affinity for certain ions will cause those ions to be preferentially discharged during electrolysis. But both Platinum and Carbon are two electrodes that are considered as neutral or passive electrodes since they have no affinity for any element. 

 Examples of Electrolysis

1. Electrolysis of Acidified Water (water containing drops of H2SO4)

                
The Hoffman Voltameter is used; both the anode and cathode are platinum foil. 

The ions present in the electrolyte are:

          Cations          Anions

H2SO4 → 2H+(g)    +       SO42-            

H2O →       H+(aq)    +   OH-(aq)

At the Cathode: H+ ion migrate to the cathode and take up electrons to form neutral hydrogen atoms.

H+(aq)  + e-→ H(g)

The hydrogen atoms then combine to form hydrogen gas molecule

H(g) + H(g)→ H2(g) 

 Overall equation

2H+(aq)  +  2e- →H2(g)

 At the anode: Both SO42- and OH- ions migrate to the anode where OH- ions being lower in the electrochemical series is preferentially discharged and lose its electrons to the anode to become a neutral - OH group.

OH-(aq) → OH  + e

The neutral –OH group combines in pairs to form one molecule of water and one atom of oxygen.

OH  +  OH → H2O(l)  +  O(g)

The oxygen atoms then combine with another free oxygen atom to form an oxygen gas molecule.

O(g) + O(g)→O2(g)        

Overall equation

 4OH-(aq)→2H2O(l)  +  O2(g) +  4e-

 Note: At the end of the electrolysis the solution becomes more concentrated or more acidic as the components of water (H2 and O)

H+(aq)  + e→ H(g)

The hydrogen atoms then combine in pairs to form diatomic hydrogen gas molecule 

H(g) + H(g)→H2(g).

Overall equation

2H+(aq)  +  2e-→ H2(g)

Thus, hydrogen gas is obtained at the cathode.

At the anode: both Cl- and OH- ions migrate to the anode where Cl- ions are preferentially discharged. This is because it is  higher in concentration than OH- ion and the two ions are close to each other in the series.  

      Cl-(aq)→Cl(g)  +  e- 

 The chlorine atoms combine to give the molecules. 

       Cl(g)  +  Cl(g)→Cl2

Overall equation

2Cl-(aq)→ Cl2(g)  +   2e-

Chlorine gas is obtained at the anode.

 

3.Electrolysis Of Copper (II) Tetraoxosulphate (VI) Solution Using Different  Anode: 

  1. With carbon or platinum electrodes.

               Cations            Anions

CuSO4  →    Cu2+(g)    +    SO42-(aq)   

H2O      →     H+(aq)    +     OH-(aq)

At the Cathode: Cu2+ and H+ ion migrate to the cathode where Cu2+ being lower than and less electropositive than H+ is preferentially discharged  as metallic copper on the cathode.

 Cu2+(aq)  + 2e-→ Cu(s)

 

At the anode: SO42- and OH- ions migrate to the anode where OH- ions lose their electrons to become a neutral  - OH group.

OH-(aq) → OH  + e-

OH  +  OH → H2O(l)  +  O(g)

O(g) + O(g)→O2(g)        

 Overall equation

4OH-(aq) →2H2O(l) + O2(g) + 4e-


Electrolysis of CuSO4 using different electrodes

1. Using Pt. or C- electrodes: - Pt. and C-electrodes as we know are inert or passive electrodes and do not determine the product of the electrolysis


Uses Of Electrolysis 

1. Extraction of metals like Na, K, Mg, Ca and Al.

2. Purification of metals copper, 

3. Electroplating

4. Preparation of some elements like Cl2 as sodium hydroxide, hydrogen and chlorine from electrolysis of brine using cathode.

 

OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS

1. Electrolysis is the process of

(a) producing electricity from chemicals
(b) using electricity to cause chemical change
(c) breaking compounds by heating
(d) mixing acids and bases

2. The substance that is decomposed during electrolysis is called the
(a) electrode
(b) electrolyte
(c) conductor
(d) catalyst

3. Which of the following is NOT an electrolyte?
(a) Molten sodium chloride
(b) Dilute sulphuric acid
(c) Distilled water
(d) Sodium hydroxide solution

4. In electrolysis, oxidation occurs at the
(a) cathode
(b) anode
(c) electrolyte
(d) battery

5. Reduction takes place at the
(a) anode
(b) cathode
(c) electrolyte
(d) circuit

6. The positive electrode in an electrolytic cell is the
(a) cathode
(b) anode
(c) electrolyte
(d) salt bridge

7. Which particle moves to the cathode during electrolysis?
(a) Anion
(b) Cation
(c) Electron
(d) Neutron

8. During the electrolysis of molten sodium chloride, the product at the cathode is
(a) chlorine gas
(b) sodium metal
(c) hydrogen gas
(d) oxygen gas

9. During electrolysis of acidified water, the gas collected at the anode is
(a) hydrogen
(b) oxygen
(c) chlorine
(d) nitrogen

10. Which of the following statements is correct?
(a) Oxidation occurs at the cathode
(b) Reduction occurs at the anode
(c) Anions move to the anode
(d) Cations move to the anode

11. A substance that allows electric current to pass through it by movement of ions is called a
(a) conductor
(b) semiconductor
(c) electrolyte
(d) insulator

12. The electrodes used in electrolysis may be
(a) active or inert
(b) solid or liquid
(c) metals only
(d) non-metals only

13. Which of the following is an example of an inert electrode?
(a) Zinc
(b) Copper
(c) Platinum
(d) Iron

14. The process of coating an object with a thin layer of metal using electricity is called
(a) electrolysis
(b) electroplating
(c) electrolysis reaction
(d) electrorefining

15. In the electrolysis of copper(II) sulphate using copper electrodes, the anode
(a) dissolves
(b) gains mass
(c) remains unchanged
(d) produces hydrogen

16. Which law of electrolysis states that the mass of a substance deposited is proportional to the quantity of electricity passed?
(a) Ohm’s law
(b) Faraday’s first law
(c) Boyle’s law
(d) Charles’ law

17. The electrolyte in a dry cell is usually
(a) sodium chloride
(b) potassium hydroxide
(c) ammonium chloride paste
(d) sulphuric acid

18. In electrolysis, electrons flow through the
(a) electrolyte
(b) external circuit
(c) electrode
(d) salt solution

19. Which of the following products is obtained at the cathode during electrolysis of dilute sulphuric acid?
(a) Oxygen
(b) Hydrogen
(c) Chlorine
(d) Sulphur

20. The main purpose of electrorefining is to
(a) produce alloys
(b) extract metals from ores
(c) purify metals
(d) coat metals


Friday, 10 October 2025

ALKENES at a glance

 ALKENES

Alkenes are a homologous series of unsaturated hydrocarbons with a general molecular formular CnH2n.

They are named by replacing the ending "ane" of the corresponding alkane with "ene" for each member of the series.

NOTE: because alkenes contain double bonds between carbon to carbon i.e C=C n=1 does not exist.

When n=

General Molecular Formulae CnH2

Name

2.

C2H2x2= C2H4

Ethene

3.

C3H2x3 = C3H6

Propene

4.

C4H2x4 = C4H8

Butene

5.

C5H2x5 = C5H10

Pentene

6.

C6H2x6 = C6H12

Hexene

7.

C7H2x7 = C7H14

Heptene

8.

C8H2x8 = C8H16

Octene

9.

C9H2x9 = C9H18

Nonem

10.

C10H2x10 = C10H20

Decene



 

NOMENCLATURE OF ALKENES

When naming the alkenes, care must be taken because unlike the alkanes which have only single bonds, the alkenes contain double bonds, and so the naming of the substituents is based on the position of the double bond. For example, the molecule CH3CH=CHCH3 is named but-2-ene.

Although the double bond joins carbon atoms 2 and 3, the number 2 is used because it gives the lowest number to the double bond.

other examples include 

(i)  CH3-CH2-CH2-CH=CH2           

        Pent-1-ene or Pentene

(ii) CH3CH2CH=CHCH

        Pent-2-ene

                     
                    CH3
                     |
(iii)       CH3C=CHCH3                    
         2-methylbut-2-ene

                          CH3
                           |
(iv)       CH3-C=C-CH3
                       |   
                       CH3  
       2,3-dimethylbut-2-ene

                    CH3         
                          |   
           CH3CH2C=CCH2CH3                                      
                               
|

                              CH3

         3,4-dimethylhex-3-ene


             CH3            CH3
                |                   |
(vi)   CH3C-CH=CH-C-CH3
                 |                  |      
                CH3            CH3

    2,2,5,5-tetramethylhex-3-ene


MOLECULAR STRUCTURES OF ALKENES

ALKENES

molecular formula /name

STRUCTURAL FORMULAR

Condensed  FORMULAR

2.

C2H4

Ethene

      H             H 
                   ∕  
           C=C
         ∕         
      H           H           

H2C=CH2

3.

C3H6

Propene

        H    H     H
           |      |         ∕
 H — C — C=C
           |       |       
          H     H       H

CH3CH=CH2



4.

C4H8

Butene

        H H H   H
        |   |   |      ∕
   H-C-C-C=C
        |   |   |       ∖
        H H H      H

CH3CH2CH=CH2

5.

C5H10

Pentene

      H H H  H        H
       |   |   |    |       ∕
  H-C-C-C-C=C
       |   |   |   |       ∖
      H H H H        H

CH3(CH2)2CH=CH2

6.

C6H12

Hexene

      H H H H  H     H
       |   |   |   |    |       ∕
  H-C-C-C-C-C=C
        |   |   |   |   |     ∖
       H H H H H      H

CH3(CH2)3CH=CH2

7.

C7H14

Heptene

      H H H H H H       H
      |   |    |   |   |   |       ∕
 H-C-C-C-C-C-C=C
      |    |   |   |   |   |       ∖
     H H H H H H        H

CH3(CH2)4CH=CH2

8.

C8H16

Octene

      H H H H H H  H     H
       |   |    |   |   |   |   |      ∕
 H-C-C-C-C-C-C-C=C
       |  |    |   |   |   |   |      ∖
      H H H H H H H      H

CH3(CH2)5CH=CH2

9.

C9H18

Nonene

     H H H H H H H  H     H
      |   |   |    |   |   |    |   |      ∕                          H-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C=C
      |   |   |   |    |   |   |   |     ∖
       H H H H H H H H   H

CH3(CH2)6CH=CH2

10.

C10H20

Decene

    H H H H H H H H  H     H
     |  |    |    |    |  |    |   |   |     ∕
H-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C-C=C
     |   |   |    |   |   |  |   |    |     ∖       
   H H H H H H H H H      H

CH3(CH2)7CH=CH2

LABORATORY PREPARATION OF ETHENE

Ethene is prepared in the laboratory by dehydration of alkanols such as ethanol (C2H5OH) by concentrated H2SO4.


DIAG.

                                                     Laboratory preparation of Ethene

equation for the reaction

step i:      C2H5OH + H2SO4  C2H5HSO4 + H2O.

  step ii.   C2H5HSO4 →C2H4 + H2SO4

When ethylhydrogentetraoxosulphate (VI) is heated, it releases ethene which is collected over water.

 

NOTEThe wash bottle containing sodium hydroxide is to remove Sulphur (iv)oxide.


PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF ETHENE (ALKENES)

1. It is colourless and odourless gas

2. It is neutral litmus paper

3. It is almost insoluble in water

4. It is less dense than air.

Chemical Properties Of Ethene

Alkenes such as ethene undergoes addition reaction 

1. Reaction of ethene with hydrogen in the presence of nickel as a catalyst

                                  Ni    
          H2C=CH2 + H2 →   CH3CH3         
              ethene                   ethane

This reaction is important in the conversion of oil into margarine by the process known as HYDROGENATION.

2. Reaction of ethene with chlorine to produce 1,2-dichloroethane.


 CH2=CH2 + Cl2 → ClCH2-CH2Cl

3. Reaction of ethene with bromine to produce 1,2-dibromoethane

 CH2=CH2 + Br2 → CH2Br-CH2Br

4. Reaction of ethene with oxygen or combustion reaction of ethene (alkenes) to produce carbon(iv)oxide and water

  CH2=CH+ 3O2 →2CO2 + 2H2O

5. Reaction of ethene with hydrogen halide (Hydrogen chloride) (HCl) to produce ethylchloride.

 CH2=CH2 + HCl → CH3CH2Cl  

6. Reaction of ethene with water in the presence of dilute H2SO4 to produce ethanol

   CH2=CH2 + H2O →CH3CH2OH

7. Reaction of ethene with neutral KMnO4 to produce 1,2-ethan-diol (glycol)

 CH2=CH2 + KMnO4 → CH2—CH2
                                            |          |
                                           OH     OH    

                                     ethan-1,2-diol

 KMnO4 is decolorized in the above reaction, and this reaction distinguishes alkenes from alkanes which do not decolorize KMnO4

Uses Of Ethene

1. In the production of polythene which is used for making nylon or polythene bags and wrappers

2. In the manufacturing of margarine by the process of hydrogenation.


 Other examples of alkenes are as follows

(i)      CH3CH2C = CCH3                                           (ii)     CH3C = CHCH3
                                 |       |                                                                   |
                           CHCH3                                                            CH3
            
             2,3-dimethylpent-2-ene                                  3-methylbut-2-ene


                       CH3                                                                                                CH3 
                        |                                                                                                      |    
(iii)       CH2= C — CH—CH2CH2CH=CH2        (iv)        CH3CH2CHCH=CHCH=C
=CH2 
                                |                                                                            |
                                CH2CH3                                                              CH2CH3  
         
              2-methyl, 3-ethylhept-1,6-diene                                6-ethyl, 3-methyloct-1,2,4-triene


                                                                                    Cl
                                                                                     |
(v)       CH3CH=CHCH3                        (vi)      CH3-C-CH=CH2 
                            |                                                         |
                           Cl                                                      Cl
            3-chlorobut-2-ene                               3,3-dichlorobut-1-ene


(vii)     CH3CH2C=CH=CHCH3              (viii)     CH3C=CHC=CH3  
                           |            |                                              |           |
                          Cl         Br                                           Cl        Cl
            2-bromo, 4-chlorohex-2,3-diene        2,4-dichloropent-1,3-diene

                           

                                 Cl                                                                   Cl
                                  |                                                                       |
(ix)      CH2=C=CH-C=C-CH3                         (x)     CH3CHCH=C-CH3  
                                       |                                                    |             |
                                      Br                                                 Cl         Cl
                5-bromo,3-chlorohex-1,2,4-triene                 4,2,2-trichloropent-2-ene

              

          H H H            H                                                        CH2CH3
               |    |  |            ∕                                                          ∕
(xi)  H-C-C-C-C=C                              (xii)   CH3CH = C
             |    |   |   |      ∖                                                        ∖                                     
            H H   | H        H                                                       CH2CH2Cl
                      |                                                                     5-chloro -3-ethylpent-2-ene
                 H-C-H                                              
                      |
                     H                                                                       
       3-methylpent-1-ene

                       

                                    CH3
(xiii)                          ∕
            H2C = C = C
                                
                                   H
            But-1,2-diene 


OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS

1. Hydrogenation of butene yields 
a. Butyne 
b. butane
c. pentene
d. butanol

2. Geometric (cis- trans) isomerism is exhibited by

a. C2H2Cl2

b. C2H6Cl

c. C4H10

d. C5H12


3. which of the following is the general formula for the alkenes

a. CnH2n-2

b. CnH2n

c. CnH2n+2

d. CnH2n+1



4. Alkenes underg the reactions

THEORY QUESTIONS
1. Use the reaction scheme below to answer the following questions 
(i).  

Tuesday, 9 September 2025

Carbon II oxide at a glance

 CARBON (II) OXIDE

LABORATORY PREPARATION

1.  Carbon (II) oxide is prepared by the dehydration of methanoic (formic) acid or ethanedioic (oxalic) acid, using concentrated tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid.

HCOOH(l)   Conc. H2SO4   CO(g)   +   H2O

Methanoic acid

Note: Pure CO is obtained by passing the gaseous mixture is passed through concentrated NaOH to remove CO2.

The major air pollutants that can result from smoky vehicles are Carbon (ii) oxide and Carbon particles.

 2.  Carbon (II) oxide can also be prepared by passing Carbon (IV) oxide through red-hot carbon.

  The gaseous mixture is passed through concentrated NaOH to remove excess Carbon (IV) oxide.

CO2(g) + C(s) →2CO(g)

Pure Carbon (II) oxide is collected over water.

Caution: The preparation of CO must be done in a fume cupboard as the gas is poisonous.

Exposure to even as low as 0.05% for a short while may cause death, by suffocation.

 

Physical Properties Of CO

(1) It is a colourless, tasteless and odourless gas.

(2) It is insoluble in water, but dissolves in a solution of ammoniacal copper (I) chloride.

(3) It has the same density as air 

(4) It is neutral to litmus

Chemical Properties Of CO

(1) It is a strong reducing agent: reducing most metal oxides to the metsl

     Fe2O3(s) + 3CO(g) → 2Fe(s) + 3CO2(g)

     CuO(s) + CO(g) → Cu(s) + CO2(g)

2.  Combination reaction

(a). With oxygen: CO burns in air with a faint pale blue flame to form CO2 .

    2CO(g) + O2(g) →2CO2(g)


3.  CO combined with Chlorine gas when expose to ultra-violet light or passed over a catalyst of activated charcoal at 1500C to form carbonyl chloride.

CO(g) + Cl2(g) →COCl2(g)

This product, COCl2, is also known as Phosgene and was employed as a poisonous gas in the First World War. It is now use in the manufacture of dyestuff.

 It is considered a poisonous gas because it combines irreversibly with the  haemoglobin in the red blood cells to form carboxy-haemoglobin thereby preventing the red corpuscle from carry oxygen.

 

Test for Carbon (II) oxide

 Inserteda lighted splinter into a test tube containing into the unknown gas if it burns with a pale blue flame and the gas produced turns lime water milky.

 

Uses of Carbon (ii) oxide

(1) CO is used in the extraction of metals from their ores.

(2) It is an important constituent of gaseous fuels like producer gas and water gas.

(3) CO gas is used in the manufacture of methyl alcohol, synthetic petrol, carbonyl chloride, oxalate and formate.

 

 

 Objective Questions

1. Gas prepared by the reaction between methanoic acid and concentrated tetraoxosulphate (vi) acid is (a) SO2         

 (b) CO             

 (c) CO2          

 (d) H2S.

2.  Gas which dissolves in ammoniacal copper (i) chloride but insoluble in water is

(a) NH3

 (b) CO

 (c) N2

(d) CO2.

3. It is dangerous to stay in a badly ventilated room which has a charcoal fire because of the presence of

 (a) carbon (II) oxide

 (b) carbon (iv) oxide

 (c) hydrogen sulphide 

(d) producer gas.

 

THEORY

1(a) Why is important for the laboratory preparation of carbon (II) oxide to be done in a fume chamber?

2.  Why it is not advisable to stay in a closed garage for a long time when racing a car engine.


Monday, 8 September 2025

Carbon IV oxide at a glance

 CARBON (IV) OXIDE: - About 0.03% of atmospheric air is Carbon (IV) oxide by volume while dissolved air contains about 0.50% by volume. This percentages are usually maintained by processes which use up and releases CO2 into the atmosphere, such processes include burning of fossil fuels and organic materials, respiration, deforestation and Photosynthesis 

 

Laboratory preparation

Carbon (IV) oxide is prepared in the laboratory by the action of dilute hydrochloric acid on CaCO3 which can be in the form of   marble chips or limestone. 

Reaction between CaCO3 and HCl can be carried out in a Kipp’s apparatus.






     CaCO3(s)  + 2HCl(aq) →CaCl2(aq) + H2O(l)

Note: The dry gas is obtained by passing the gas through potassium hydrogen trioxocarbonate (IV) solution to remove any acid fumes and then through fused Calcium chloride in a U-tube to dry the gas. The dry gas is then collected by downward delivery because it is heavier than air.






INDUSTRIAL PREPARATION

CO2 is obtained industrially as a byproduct in fermentation processes and when limestone is heated to make quicklime.

 

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

(1) CO2 is a colourless.

(2) It is an odourless gas with a sharp refreshing taste.

(3) It is about 1.5 times denser than air.

(4) It is soluble in water.

(5). CO2 dissolves in water to yield trioxocarbonate (IV) acid.

(6) It readily liquefies and solidifies at -780C on cooling to form a white solid known as dry ice.

 

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

1). It turns damp blue litmus paper pink because

1. Reaction with water: Carbon (IV) oxide dissolves in water to form trioxocarbonate (IV) acid (Soda water). It is a weak dibasic acid ( i.e it ionizes slightly)

(a)  CO2(g) + H2O(l)→H2CO3(aq)

On heating rioxocarbonate (IV) acid it decomposes to form H2O(l) and CO2(g).

 

2. Reaction with alkalis: It reacts to form  trioxocarbonate (IV)

CO2(g) + 2NaOH(aq)→Na2CO3(aq)+ H2O(l)

Limited

Excess CO2 reacts with alkalis to produce Hydrogen trioxocarbonate (iv) salt.

      CO2(g) + NaOH(aq)→NaHCO3(aq)

     Excess.

3.  Reaction with burning Na, K or Mg:  when passed over burning Na, K andd Mg CO2 is reduced to carbon.

      CO2(g) + 2Mg(s)  →C(s) + 2MgO(s)

Note: CO2 does not support combustion.

 

4.  Reaction with red hot carbon: CO2 is reduced to CO when passed over red-hot coke.

          CO2(g) + C(s) →2CO(g)

The reaction is important in the blast furnace and in the manufacture of gaseous fuels.

 

Test for CO2Bubble the unknown gas through a solution of lime water (Calcium hydroxide) if the lime water turns milky due to the formation of insoluble calcium trioxocarbonate (IV) then the unknown gas is CO2

Ca(OH)2(aq) + CO2(g) →CaCO3(s) + H2O(l).

If the CO2(g) is bubbled in excess, the milkiness will disappear and turn to a clear solution. This is due to the formation of soluble calcium hydrogen trioxocarbonate (IV).

   CaCO3(s)+ H2O(l) + CO2(g) →Ca(HCO3)(aq)

Finally, if the clear solution is heated, the milkiness reappears due to the decomposition of soluble Ca(HCO3)2 to form insoluble CaCO3

Ca(HCO3)2(aq) →CaCO3(s) +  H2O(l) + CO2(g)

 

Uses of carbon (iv) oxide

1.  It is used as fire extinguishers since it does not support combustion.

2.  It is used in making carbonated (aerated) drinks their refreshing taste.

3.  It is used in the manufacture of Na2CO3 (washing soda) by the Solvay process.

4.  It is used as a leavening agent in the baking of bread. Yeast and baking powder produces CO2 which make the dough of bread to rise.

5.  It is used in the manufacture of fertilizer (such as urea and (NH4)2SO4.

6.  Solid CO2 (i.e dry ice) is used as a refrigerant for perishable goods e.g ice cream. (It sublimes on warming and provides a lower temperature).

7.  Gaseous CO2 is used to preserve fruits.

8.  CO2 is also used as a coolant in nuclear reactors.


Objective Questions 

1. Kipp’s apparatus is important in the laboratory because it 

(a) allows intermittent supply of gases. 

(b) is used for preparing poisonous gases.

 (c) is used to prepare light gas

. (d) is used to prepare sensitive gas

2.  Where else is CO2 found in free state apart from the atmosphere?

(a) In carbonated drinks.

 (b) Dissolved form in water. 

(c) In corals. 

(d) In limestone region

Theory Questions 

1) State the property of CO2 that makes it to be used in

 (i) carbonated drinks (ii) fire extinguishers

(b). State what is observed when 

(i) excess CO2 is bubbled through lime water. (ii) the solution in b(i) above is heated.