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View Full Version : Is copper absorbs Carbon????

whyonlyme
Apr26-11, 07:59 PM
I've just seen in one Science Fair project. In that there was one project. it was about pollution. There was a model of sizing machine. The boy who made this project says " If we use Copper in Sizing boilers, Copper will absorb much quantity of Carbon from air".

My question is " Is it true? "

If yes how is it possible?

How much Carbon it will absorb ?

Is that project useful?
Mapes
Apr26-11, 08:41 PM
" If we use Copper in Sizing boilers, Copper will absorb much quantity of Carbon from air"

Copper salts can sequester carbon dioxide, and molten copper may react with gaseous carbon, but metallic copper at room temperature? Doesn't seem likely.
whyonlyme
Apr27-11, 02:13 AM
Why it happens??????

That was my question..
Borek
Apr27-11, 03:39 AM
Why it happens??????

Your question is painfully ambiguous.

Why WHAT happens?

Especially taking into account fact that - as Mapes wrote - it doesn't happen.
whyonlyme
Apr27-11, 04:36 AM
I mean why Carbon sticks on Copper???
Borek
Apr27-11, 04:58 AM
In short - it doesn't.
whyonlyme
Apr27-11, 06:05 AM
so, was that science project wrong??????
Mapes
Apr27-11, 07:40 AM
Carbon in the atmosphere attaches to everything, but only in an extremely thin surface layer. We say that it is adsorbed (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adsorption) onto the surface of materials (including copper), but not absorbed (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absorption_%28chemistry%29) into the bulk of a copper sample to any great extent. So I guess the tenability of the science project depends upon one's definition of "much quantity of carbon."
Borek
Apr27-11, 08:41 AM
so, was that science project wrong??????

Assuming your description is correct - project is wrong.

But it seems you are misunderstanding at least parts of our explanation, so it is possible you also misunderstood parts of the project.
whyonlyme
Apr27-11, 10:10 PM
He says that some carbon sticks on Copper from whole Carbon. I also asked him how much carbon or how much percent carbon sticks on it? He says nothing.......................
Borek
Apr28-11, 02:18 AM
He says that some carbon sticks on Copper from whole Carbon.

That's probably true.

I also asked him how much carbon or how much percent carbon sticks on it? He says nothing.......................

I agree that's the problem - while some carbon may be adsorbed, its fraction is so small it doesn't matter.

That's assuming we are not missing something from the original project.