Carbon Vapor and Gaseous Carbon

In summary, it is not possible to maintain pure carbon gas at room temperature as the molecules will eventually condense into solid graphite. The suggested approach of using a vacuum chamber and hot carbon vapor will not work as the vapor phase of carbon does not exist at any pressure at room temperature. Reference to a phase diagram for carbon confirms this.
  • #1
parlous
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Is it possible to maintain pure carbon gas at room temperature? Suppose I start with a vacuum chamber and allow a small amount of hot, gaseous carbon vapor inside it, but only enough so that it remains gaseous at normal room temperatures - is that possible to do? Where can I find formulas to let me know how much volume of vacuum space is needed and how many carbon atoms it can contain and still be gaseous @ room temperatures?

Thanks,
Parlous
 
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  • #2
No, it's not possible to have (stable) gaseous (or even liquid) carbon at room temp.

Your above described approach will not work. As the temperature drops (and with it the kinetic energy of the gas molecules), the molecules will eventually condense into solid graphite...even at absolute vacuum.

Look up a phase digram for carbon. http://phycomp.technion.ac.il/~anastasy/teza/teza/node5.html

The vapor phase does not exist at any pressure at room temperature. Evacuation only lowers the sublimation temerature from about 5500K to about 4000K.
 
  • #3


I can say that maintaining pure carbon gas at room temperature is possible, but it requires specific conditions and techniques. Carbon gas, also known as carbon monoxide (CO), is a colorless and odorless gas that can exist at room temperature and pressure. However, it is not stable and can easily react with other substances, such as oxygen, to form carbon dioxide (CO2).

To maintain pure carbon gas at room temperature, you would need to create a vacuum chamber and carefully control the temperature and pressure inside. This can be achieved by using specialized equipment and techniques, such as cryogenic cooling and precise pressure regulation. It is also important to ensure that there are no impurities or contaminants present in the chamber, as they can react with the carbon gas and alter its properties.

The amount of carbon gas that can be contained in a vacuum chamber at room temperature depends on the volume of the chamber and the pressure inside. The ideal gas law, PV = nRT, can be used to calculate the amount of gas that can be contained at a given pressure and temperature. However, it is important to note that this equation assumes ideal conditions and may not be accurate for real-world scenarios.

In addition, the stability of the carbon gas also depends on the number of carbon atoms present. As the number of carbon atoms increases, the gas becomes more unstable and more likely to react with other substances. Therefore, it is essential to carefully control the amount of carbon gas present in the chamber to maintain its purity and stability.

In conclusion, it is possible to maintain pure carbon gas at room temperature, but it requires careful control of temperature, pressure, and impurities. Formulas such as the ideal gas law can provide a general estimate of the amount of gas that can be contained, but it is important to consider other factors as well. I suggest consulting with a specialist in gas chemistry or vacuum technology for more precise calculations and techniques.
 

1. What is carbon vapor?

Carbon vapor is a gaseous form of carbon that is formed when solid carbon is heated to a high temperature. It is made up of individual carbon atoms that are not bonded to each other, making it a highly reactive substance.

2. How is carbon vapor produced?

Carbon vapor can be produced through various processes such as combustion, gasification, or pyrolysis. It can also be created in laboratory settings through the heating of solid carbon compounds.

3. What are the properties of gaseous carbon?

Gaseous carbon has several unique properties, such as being highly flammable and reactive. It is also colorless and odorless, making it difficult to detect without specialized equipment. Additionally, it can easily form bonds with other elements, making it a versatile building block for many compounds and molecules.

4. How is carbon vapor used in industry?

Carbon vapor has many industrial applications, including being used as a reducing agent in metal production, as a source of energy in combustion processes, and as a precursor for the production of various chemicals and materials. It is also used in the creation of carbon nanotubes, which have many technological uses.

5. Is carbon vapor harmful to the environment?

While carbon vapor itself is not harmful to the environment, its release can contribute to air pollution and climate change. The burning of fossil fuels, which release carbon vapor, is a major contributor to these issues. However, when used in controlled industrial processes, carbon vapor can be managed and mitigated to reduce its impact on the environment.

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