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Carbon Dioxide

Definition

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a colorless gas with a density about 60% higher than that of dry air. It occurs naturally in Earth's atmosphere as a trace gas.

Related terms

Photosynthesis: This is the process used by plants to convert light energy into chemical energy that can later be released to fuel their activities. During this process, plants absorb CO2 from the atmosphere.

Greenhouse Gas: These are gases in Earth's atmosphere that trap heat. They let sunlight pass through the atmosphere but prevent Earth’s heat from escaping back into space. CO2 is one such gas contributing to global warming.

Respiration: This refers to processes within organisms where oxygen is delivered to cells and carbon dioxide removed; essentially breathing on cellular level.

"Carbon Dioxide" appears in:

Subjects (3)

AP Biology
AP Chinese
AP Environmental Science

Study guides (1)

AP Chemistry - 4.1 Introduction for Reactions

Practice Questions (2)

A reaction vessel contains some amount of calcium carbonate and calcium oxide, and the system is found to be at equilibrium. If carbon dioxide is injected into the vessel, which of the following is true?
The reaction between carbon monoxide (CO) and oxygen gas (O₂) to form carbon dioxide (CO₂) has a ΔH value of -283.0 kJ/mol. What is the ΔH for the reaction: 2CO(g) + O₂(g) → 2CO₂(g)?

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