Carbon dioxide, commonly known by its chemical formula CO2, is not a single element but a compound made up of two different elements: carbon and oxygen. On the periodic table, you can find carbon (C) with the atomic number 6 and oxygen (O) with the atomic number 8.
When carbon dioxide is formed, one carbon atom bonds with two oxygen atoms. This can occur during processes like respiration, combustion, and fermentation. It is a colorless gas at room temperature and is naturally present in Earth’s atmosphere in trace amounts.
Carbon dioxide plays a crucial role in various environmental and biological processes, particularly in photosynthesis, where plants use it to create oxygen and glucose, vital for life on Earth. Understanding carbon dioxide is important in discussions about climate change and global warming, as increased levels of this gas contribute to the greenhouse effect.