Carbon Dioxide: 15 Fascinating Facts You Need To Know

Carbon Dioxide: 15 Fascinating Facts You Need to Know

Carbon dioxide is a gas that exists naturally and has significant importance on Earth’s environment. Although carbon dioxide leads to global warming because is a greenhouse gas, it has unique features that extend beyond its environmental effects.

Please accompany me on this enticing exploration as we explore the extraordinary and unexpected aspects of carbon dioxide that will surprise and enlighten you. Let us dig into the fascinating features of this vital gas and reveal its hidden marvels.

1. Carbon Dioxide is Used to Increase the Growth of Flowers, Vegetables, and Fruits

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Carbon dioxide is used as an element together with water and sunlight to generate food in plants in a process known as photosynthesis.

Greenhouse owners dealing with fruits, vegetables, and flowers among others, often increase carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to boost the growth of plants in the greenhouse, however, it is good to note that carbon dioxide is always balanced to prevent destroying the crops when is too high.

Read also 25 Interesting Facts About Oxygen.

2. Carbon Dioxide is Used as Fire Extinguishers

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Carbon dioxide is used to put off fire in fire extinguishers. Excessive pressure is used to fill non-flammable carbon dioxide gas in carbon dioxide extinguishers.

Carbon dioxide put off the fire by replacing oxygen or carrying away the oxygen element of the fire triangle. Another reason this air is suitable for fire extinguishers is the fact that it’s always cold as it comes out of the extinguisher hence it cools the fuel as well.

3. Dry Ice is Made of Carbon Dioxide

One of the fascinating facts about carbon dioxide is that it makes Dry Ice which has many benefits. Carbon dioxide is the only ingredient used in making Dry ice by reducing the liquid carbon dioxide temperatures to -109° F and pressurizing the liquid into solid blocks.

Dry ice has several benefits such as

• It is used in many food processing industries to prevent spoilage.
• It is used in the entertainment industry by fog machines to produce dramatic effects.
• It is as well used as a cooling Agent.
• It is used in grain storage to prevent insect attacks.

4. Carbon Dioxide is Colorless, Odorless Gas and has no Taste

One can never see, taste, or smell carbon dioxide gas. This makes it hard for one to notice when its levels increase.

This is the reason why carbon dioxide should be monitored in places where is used like greenhouses, to ensure it stays at a preferable level to avoid damage.

5. Carbon Dioxide is Used in Carbonated Beverages

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One of the fascinating facts about Carbon dioxide is the fact that it is used in carbonated Beverages. The benefit of adding carbon dioxide to beverages is to prevent spoilage and add sparkle and a sweet flavor.

The liquid is always made cool and poured into an enclosure containing carbon dioxide either in a dry ice or liquid form under pressure. Carbon dioxide is used in drinks such as soda, beer, etc. Pasteurization is never needed for carbonated beverages.

Read also the Nitrogen:15 Fascinating Facts You Need to Know.

6. Carbon Dioxide is a Major Component of the Earth’s Atmosphere

Carbon Dioxide is among the major component of Earth’s atmosphere. Other Earth’s atmosphere components include oxygen and Nitrogen. Carbon dioxide is less abundant than the other gases while Nitrogen occupies the biggest percentage of the atmosphere followed by oxygen.

Despite Carbon dioxide occupying less volume of about 0.04% in the Atmosphere is an important component of our earth’s air. Two oxygen atoms and one carbon atom make up its molecule.

7. There are Several Things that can be Done to Reduce Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Carbon dioxide is always about 0.04% in the atmosphere. The increase of carbon dioxide in the environment can be dangerous hence is important to take measures that help in the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.

There are several things that can be done to minimize carbon dioxide realize such as planting trees, improving energy efficiency, using renewable energy, and recycling among others.

8. Carbon Dioxide is Heavier than Air

One of the fascinating facts about Carbon dioxide is that the gas is heavy than air. Under room temperature and higher temperatures, the gases molecules keep moving hence they mix and move in all directions.

Therefore, not all of the carbon dioxide settles at the lowest altitude and the gas amount keeps changing in the environment hence carbon dioxide is found in all layers of the environment.

9. Carbon Dioxide is a Vital Part of the Carbon Cycle

The carbon cycle is a process of removing carbon between animals, plants, and microbes. It is good to understand the carbon cycle since when the gas percentage increase is harmful to the atmosphere and when is very little environment will be an unconducive place for humans and animals since the earth would be frozen.

Plants and animals emit carbon dioxide into the environment through the respiration process. When plants decay, they realize carbon dioxide as well as animals when they die and decompose. Geological deposits as well as rocks stores carbon in them.

It is good to understand the carbon cycle since when the gas percentage increases is harmful to the atmosphere and when is little environment will be unconducive place for human and animal since the earth would be frozen.

10. The average Concentration of Carbon Dioxide in the Atmosphere is about 0.04%

Carbon dioxide naturally exists in the atmosphere together with nitrogen, oxygen, and other gases. It is said to occupy about 0.04% of space in the atmosphere, occupying little space compared to nitrogen and oxygen.

This Gas has many advantages as compared to disadvantages such as is used in metalworking, used in construction, used in the chemical industry, and in agricultural use.

11. It is Produced by the Respiration of Animals and Plants

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The major producers of carbon dioxide are animals and plants through respiration processes. The respiration process is the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide from the animal’s blood to the atmosphere.

Both animals and plants take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide into the environment. It is good to note, plant only takes in carbon dioxide during the photosynthesis process.

12. Carbon Dioxide is Used in a Variety of Industrial Processes

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Carbon dioxide is a useful gas when it comes to industrial processes. It is an important raw material that is needed in several industries for different uses.

Some of the carbon dioxide uses in industries include;

• It can be used for de-caffeinating coffee
• It is used for carbonating beverages
• It is as well used to keep food products cold for transportation
• It is used as a freezing agent for foods

13. It Helps in Regulating the Earth’s Climate and Maintain its Biodiversity

Carbon dioxide plays an important role in regulating Earth’s climate. Since it is a greenhouse gas it causes effects like that of glass in a greenhouse by maintaining heat and warming up the inside.

The effect caused by carbon dioxide is very important and without it, the earth would not be a conducive place for human beings because it might be too cold for one to live.

14. Carbon Dioxide is Used in the Production of Concrete

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Carbon dioxide can be used as a substitute for cement during concrete manufacturing. However, Cement manufacturing releases a lot of carbon dioxide. Through a process known as Carbonation carbon dioxide replaces some cement in concrete.

Through this process, durable and stronger concrete is made with less carbon dioxide emissions.

15. Carbon dioxide is Removed from the Atmosphere by Plants and Ocean

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Plants through the respiratory process take out carbon dioxide to the atmosphere and take in oxygen. However, during the photosynthesis process plants take in carbon dioxide to help in making food.

The gas is as well removed from the atmosphere by the ocean. The ocean takes in carbon dioxide and stores it in its water.

Carbon dioxide is one of the major gases in the atmosphere. This gas has a lot of advantages than disadvantages. Without carbon dioxide, some industries’ processes would not be possible. The gas exists naturally in the air and major producers of it are plants and animals.