How Can You Distinguish Between Argon and Carbon Dioxide Gases?

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In summary, to distinguish between argon gas and carbon dioxide gas, you can pass the gases through limewater and observe for the formation of a precipitate. Another method would be to pass the gases through water and use an indicator to detect the formation of carbonic acid from the CO2 gas. However, the limewater test would be the most effective method as only a small percentage of dissolved CO2 would exist as carbonic acid.
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danago
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[SOLVED] Distinguishing Between CO2 and Ar

Explain how you would distinguish between argon gas and carbon dioxide gas

My first thought was to boil some water to remove any dissolved gases, and then pass the two gases through samples of the water. The CO2 would react to form a weak solution of carbonic acid, while the argon does nothing. The formation of carbonic acid could be identified with the use of a suitable indicator.

On second thought, id probably pass the gases through limewater and watch for the formation of a precipitate, however, in an exam, i probably would have ended up leaving my first answer.

My question is: Is my first method correct, would it work? And would it be practical?

Thanks,
Dan.
 
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I believe it would...
 
  • #3
Alright, thanks :smile:
 
  • #4
the best method would be limewater though...

only about 1% of the dissolved CO2 exists as carbonic acid, and I'm wondering if the indicator would be able to detect that.

i'd rather do the limewater test.
 

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