Nitrous oxide

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Nitrous oxide
General
Systematic name	Nitrous Oxide
Other names	Laughing gas, NOS
Molecular formula	N2O
Molar mass	44.0128 g/mol44.013 amu
Appearance	Colorless Gas
CAS number	[10024-97-2]
Properties
Density and phase	1222.8 kg/m31.223 g/ml 76.337 lb/cu ft, Liquid 1.8 kg/m30.0018 g/ml 0.112 lb/cu ft, Gas STP
Melting point	-90.86 °C182.29 K -131.548 °F 328.122 °R
Boiling point	-88.48 °C184.67 K -127.264 °F 332.406 °R
Viscosity	1488.99 Poise (at 27°C)
Structure
Molecular shape	Linear
Dipole moment	0.166 D
Hazards
MSDS	External Data
Main hazards	Oxidising (O)
NFPA 704	0 2 0 OX
R/S statement	R: R8 S: S38
Related compounds
Other anions	Nitric Acid
Other cations	Nitrous Acid
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Disclaimer and references

Nitrous Oxide was first produced by a chemist and philosopher named Joseph Preistly, in 1775, and this was done by heating iron filings dampened with nitric acid. It was first used as an anesthetic, which helped dull certain tolerances of pain, even if the user was still half awake. Other practical uses it is used for today are as injection systems in cars, as a booster in acceleration and speed. It also is used as a means of getting into an altered state of consciousness, by inhaling it. This form is called laughing gas, as it makes you happy and laugh at everything. The last use it is used for is in whipped cream makers, by injecting pure N₂O, and making the whipping cream aerated and fluffy.

Contents 1 Properties 2 Occurrences 3 Uses 4 References 5 See Also

Properties

Nitrous Oxide is a greenhouse gas, so it can fill up space very quickly. It is composed of two Oxygen atoms connected to a Nitrogen atom, in a linear configuration. The molar mass of nitrous oxide is 44.0128 g/mol, it doesn't have any color, and it has a slightly sweet taste and odor. It's density compared to air is 1.52 : 1.00, and at standard pressure it is very soluble in alcohols, ether, oils, and sulfuric acid. Nitrous oxide has relatively low toxicity, but is is still an asphyxiate. When using small amounts, however, the anesthetic effect isn't really noticed.

Occurrences

Nitrous Oxide is a greenhouse gas. Even though it is a less warming radiator, if observed over 100 years, it has 296 times more impact on global warming than CO₂. It occurs naturally at higher atmospheres, but can also be synthesized at sea level in laboratories. It is also the third largest greenhouse gas, even though the presence is small. Nitrous oxide is emitted by bacteria in soils and oceans, and has been a part of Earth's atmosphere for thousands of years. Agriculture is the main source of human-produced nitrous oxide. It is produced by cultivating soil, using nitrogen fertilizers, and animal waste handling, so it effectively synthesizes naturally occurring bacteria to produce more Nitrous Oxide. The livestock sector, consisting of mostly cows, chickens, and pigs, produces about 65% of human-related nitrous oxide. Industrial sources only make up about 20% of all sources caused by humans. Some of the industrial sources that produce Nitrous Oxide include the production plants for nylon and nitric acid, and burning fossil fuel in internal combustion engines.

Uses

Some uses for Nitrous Oxide include as an inhalant drug, an injection system for cars, and as an aerator for whipping cream. The first use, as Joseph Preistly used is, is as an inhalant drug. Nitrous Oxide was originally developed as an anesthetic, but later people found that it could be used as a powerful drug, which we now call laughing gas. The second use mentioned is as an injection system used in automobiles. Nitrous Oxide is injected with the fuel, and it reacts in such a way that makes the car perform better, by giving it more acceleration and speed. The last use is for an aerator in whipping cream. In an airtight chamber, the Nitrous Oxide is injected into the whipping cream, which makes it have the light and fluffy property of whipped cream.

References

• Nitrous Oxide Wikipedia
• Nitrous Oxide School of Chemistry, University of Bristol
• Nitrous Oxide US EPA

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See Also