Oxygen
Oxygen is the element with atomic number 8. It is a highly reactive period 2 element that readily forms compounds with almost all other elements. It forms a colorless, odorless, tasteless diatomic gas O2. Oxygen is the third most abundant element in the universe by mass after hydrogen and helium.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is the element with symbol N. It’s atomic number is 7 and has an atomic weight of 14.0067. It constitutes 78.08% by volume of Earth’s atmosphere. Many industrially important compounds such as ammonia, nitric acid, organic nitrates (propellants and explosives) and cyanides contain nitrogen.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is the element with atomic number 1. It is the lightest element. It is a highly flammable diatomic gas at standard conditions. It is also the most abundant element constituting about 75% of the universe’s elemental mass. It is produced in bulk by the steam reforming of natural gas. The largest application of H2 is in the processing of fossil fuels and in production of ammonia.
Helium
Helium is the element with atomic number 2. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, inert element that heads the noble gas series. It is the least reactive element. The gas is used in cryogenics, in deep sea breathing systems, to cool superconducting magnets, for inflating balloons and as protecting gas in arc welding.
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is a compound with two oxygen atoms covalently bonded with two with one carbon atom. It is a solid at temperatures below -78°C. In its solid state, it is commonly known as Dry Ice. It is commonly produced as a by-product in ammonia and hydrogen plants. It is used in food, oil and chemical industry. It is used to produce carbonated soft drinks.
Acetylene
Acetylene, C2H2 is a Hydrocarbon belonging to the group of alkynes. Its primary use is in chemical synthesis. It is also used for oxyacetylene gas welding and cutting due to the high temperature of the flame. It is produced by the hydration of Calcium Carbide.
Argon
Argon (Ar) has the atomic number 18. It is the most abundant noble gas on earth. Air is the primary raw material used by industry to produce purified Argon. It is produced by partial distillation of liquid air. It is used as inert gas and incandescent lamps. |