Does Atmospheric Pressure or Temperature Determine the State of CO2?

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SUMMARY

The state of CO2 is determined primarily by its partial pressure rather than the total atmospheric pressure. In a scenario with a 20 bar atmosphere containing 95% nitrogen, 3% oxygen, 1% argon, and 1% CO2 at 0°F, CO2 remains in a gaseous state due to its partial pressure of 0.2 bar, which is below its vapor pressure of approximately 20 bars. However, if the temperature drops to -40°F, CO2 would transition to a liquid state under the same total atmospheric conditions. Understanding the distinction between partial and total pressure is crucial for accurately predicting the state of CO2.

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willstaruss22
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Let's say you have a 20 bar atmosphere of 95% nitrogen, 3% oxygen, 1% argon and 1% Co2 cooled to 0 F. Would Co2 be liquid or gas?
 
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Get yourself a CO2 phase diagram and see.
 
The partial pressure is 0.2 bar so it would be gas. However with the whole atmosphere is would be liquid.
 
The vapor pressure of CO2 at 0F is about 20 bars, and the partial pressure of the CO2 in your gas mixture is about 1 bar. So it won't condense.

Chet
 
Here's where I'm confused is it the partial pressure of Co2 that determines which state its in or the total atmosphere? Because if in this scenario the temperature were -40 F Co2 would be liquid with the total atmosphere but it would be gas at partial pressure.
 
willstaruss22 said:
Here's where I'm confused is it the partial pressure of Co2 that determines which state its in or the total atmosphere? Because if in this scenario the temperature were -40 F Co2 would be liquid with the total atmosphere but it would be gas at partial pressure.
It's the partial pressure that matters, not the total pressure.

Chet
 
willstaruss22 said:
Here's where I'm confused is it the partial pressure of Co2 that determines which state its in or the total atmosphere? Because if in this scenario the temperature were -40 F Co2 would be liquid with the total atmosphere but it would be gas at partial pressure.

Which would you think it should be? It is nice to be told a confirmation, but it is not that much help to you really if you can't or don't reason it out mechanistically.
 

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