Common Gases and their properties

Carbon dioxide (CO₂)

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a colourless and acidic gas. It dissolves in water to form carbonic acid. H₂CO_3, which is a weak acid.

Molar mass of air is about 28 g/mol as there is 78% nitrogen in the air. Molar mass of carbon dioxide is 12 + 2(16) = 44 g/mol. Hence, carbon dioxide gas is denser than air.

Sulfur dioxide (SO₂)

Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is a colourless and acidic gas. It dissolves in water to form sulfurous acid. H₂SO₃. Sulfurous acid further oxidises to form sulfuric acid, H₂SO₄, which is a strong acid.

Molar mass of air is about 28 g/mol as there is 78% nitrogen in the air. Molar mass of sulfur dioxide is 32 + 2(16) = 64 g/mol. Hence, sulfur dioxide gas is denser than air.

Hydrogen chloride (HCl)

Hydrogen chloride (HCl) is a colourless and acidic gas. It dissolves in water to form hydrochloric acid, which is a strong acid.

Molar mass of air is about 28 g/mol as there is 78% nitrogen in the air. Molar mass of hydrogen chloride is 1 + 35.5 = 36.5 g/mol. Hence, hydrogen chloride gas is denser than air.

Hydrogen (H₂ )

Hydrogen (H₂) is a colourless and neutral gas. It is highly flammable.

Molar mass of air is about 28 g/mol as there is 78% nitrogen. Molar mass of hydrogen is 1+1 = 2 g/mol. Hence, hydrogen is less dense than air.

Oxygen (O₂)

Oxygen (O₂) is a colourless and neutral gas. It supports combustion.

Molar mass of air is about 28 g/mol as there is 78% nitrogen. Molar mass of oxygen is 16+16 = 32 g/mol. Hence, oxygen is denser than air.

Ammonia (NH₃)

Ammonia (NH₃) is a colourless and alkaline gas. It dissolves in water to form aqueous ammonia. NH₄OH is the alternative chemical formula of aqueous ammonia. It is a weak alkali.

Molar mass of air is about 28 g/mol as there is 78% nitrogen in the air. Molar mass of ammonia is 14 + 3(1) = 17 g/mol. Hence, ammonia is less dense than air.

Carbon monoxide (CO)

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless and neutral gas. It is poisonous.

Molar mass of air is about 28 g/mol as there is 78% nitrogen. Molar mass of carbon monoxide is 12+16 = 28 g/mol. Hence, it has the relatively similar density as air.

Chlorine (Cl₂)

Chlorine (Cl₂) is a greenish yellow gas. It dissolves in water to form hypochlorous acid/chloric(I) acid HOCl and hydrochloric acid, HCl. In the test for chlorine gas, the moist blue litmus paper turns red, then bleaches.

Molar mass of air is about 28 g/mol as there is 78% nitrogen in the air. Molar mass of chlorine is 2(35.5) = 71 g/mol. Hence, chlorine gas is denser than air.