Chemistry

Difference Between Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide and carbon dioxide are two gases and they are both composed of carbon and oxygen. Both of them are also present in air so they are around us. The Difference Between Carbon monoxide and Carbon dioxide is that carbon monoxide only has one oxygen atom while carbon dioxide has two oxygen atoms. This changes their physical and chemical properties.

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Carbon dioxide: Definition and Functions.

Carbon dioxide has the chemical formula CO2 and it is a colorless gas. The density of this gas is much higher than that of air, up to a 60% higher. A. Single carbon atom is bonded to two oxygen atoms covalently. Even though it makes up a part of the Earth’s atmosphere, it is present in trace amounts.

There is around 0.04% of Carbon dioxide in the air around us. The gas is also naturally present in hot springs, geysers, and volcanos. When carbonate rocks dissolve in water, they also release C02.

Carbon dioxide exists in lakes, rivers, and oceans because it is soluble in water. Even though it is odorless, carbon dioxide has an acidic odor when it is present at high concentration. All organisms that respire aerobically produce carbon dioxide.

It is returned to the air when the organism dies and decays. Carbon oxide is normally a by-product in many reactions such as acrylic acid production. Carbon dioxide is present in fire extinguishers and is also added to beverages for effervescence. Carbon dioxide is frozen to form dry ice.

Carbon monoxide: Definition and Functions.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless gas that has no taste or smell. It is flammable and is denser than air carbon monoxide is toxic to humans and animals. It is important for the formation of ground-level ozone. Other than that, it is also present in the body for some metabolic functions. The gas is short-lived and uses hemoglobin as a carrier, just like oxygen.

It is harmful to animals because it has a much higher affinity to bind with hemoglobin as compared to oxygen. This is why most of the carbon monoxide saturates hemoglobin, leaving little or no space for oxygen. Due to a shortage of oxygen, the individual can die.

When carbon-containing compounds are only partially oxidized, carbon monoxide is formed. Also, it is produced when there is not enough for carbon dioxide production. Carbon monoxide is flammable and gives a blue flame in the presence of oxygen.

The product is carbon dioxide. Coal gas has carbon monoxide as a constituent and that is why it was used for cooking. This gas is produced as a by-product of iron smelting and oxidative processes that are involved in the production of chemicals.

Summary of Difference Between Carbon monoxide and Carbon dioxide:

  • The Difference Between Carbon monoxide and Carbon dioxide is that carbon monoxide has single oxygen while carbon dioxide has 2 oxygen atoms in it.
  • Carbon monoxide is the simplest oxocarbon.
  • Another The Difference Between Carbon monoxide and Carbon dioxide is that carbon monoxide has two covalent bonds and one dative covalent bond while carbon dioxide has two covalent bonds.

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