How to measure the amount of carbon in different gases?
Is there anyway I can calculate the amount of Carbon in each type of gas.
I'm examining which one will make trees die the fastest...don't tell me the answer cuz I know it ^_^
Answer:
if you arent looking for real specific data (or if its just a thought experiment), you can try releasing the gas into a water solution with a pH indicator in it, such as Bromothymol blue. When CO2 comes in contact with water, a small amount of it is converted into H2CO3 (carbonic acid), which will lower the pH of a solution. The pH indicator will respond accordingly by changing color. The more color change you get, the more CO2 concentration you have. It would be important to make sure you release the same amount of gas from each into a solution, and good luck coming up with a way to get the gas into the solution ;)
edit: if you need more specific data, you might be able to use a machine or litmus paper to test the pH of the water after bubbling CO2 through it. Im not actually sure how accurate this would be, but it would get the job done.
there isn't an easy way for you to do this. it would be extremely difficult,and you would need some special equipment. i'm not sure you can even standardize the experiment, because the amount of carbon dioxide in exhaled air will vary from person to person, breath to breath, and the amount in ambient air will vary based on geographical location, temperature, maybe even time of day.
I dont know if you have access to one but a TOC analyzer would work. A TOC analyzer is connected to a tank of oxygen. The sample is introduced and mixed with the oxygen and heated. You form carbon dioxide and measure it using a IR spec inside the instrument. Measuring the famous CO2 band at I believe 2250cm-1. If you have access to one try it.
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