Carbon Dioxide

CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) is a tri-atomic molecule (see section on Atoms) resulting from the complete oxidation of carbon. Since carbon has anatomic weight of 12 and that for oxygen is 16, the Molecular weight (i.e. group “weight”) is 44, for Carbon Dioxide.

i.e. C + O2 - CO2
Therefore 12 + (2 x 16) = 44

Carbon dioxide is produced in internal combustion engines as a very high temperature gas. It is harmless, but if collected in large concentrations cause asphyxiation due to a shortage of oxygen in the mixture.