Carbon dioxide, a compound of carbon and oxygen, can be used to make carbonated beverages.
Carbon, oxygen and carbon dioxide are abundant elements and compounds on earth and elsewhere in the universe. Both carbon and oxygen are found in the periodic table of elements, while carbon dioxide represents one of the many ways these two elements can combine to form a compound found throughout nature.
Carbon
Carbon is an element with an atomic number of 6. This number represents the number of protons in a single atom. Its symbol on the periodic table is "C," and it exists in several forms (known as allotropes), including coal, graphite and diamonds. Carbon is also used to determine the age of artifacts through a process known as carbon dating. Carbon is found in the earth's crust and is one of the most abundant elements in the universe, by mass.
Oxygen
Oxygen is an element with an atomic number of 8. Its symbol on the periodic table is "O," and it forms compounds with a large number of other elements, including nitrogen and carbon. It is a more abundant element in the universe than carbon. Oxygen is present in Earth's atmosphere, as well as in water. Plants produce oxygen during photosynthesis. Although oxygen is a non-combustible gas, a high concentration of oxygen will cause other materials to burn more quickly.
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a compound consisting of one atom of carbon and two atoms of oxygen. It occurs naturally and exists as a gas at normal temperatures. Carbon dioxide is present in Earth's atmosphere, playing an important part in photosynthesis. Humans and other animals emit carbon dioxide when they breathe. Carbon dioxide is also a byproduct of combustion, including the burning of fossil fuels such as petroleum and coal. It is also used to produce carbonated beverages.
Other Combinations
While both carbon and oxygen are elements, carbon dioxide is a compound. A combination of a single atom of carbon with a single atom of oxygen produces carbon monoxide, a much more dangerous gas.
Carbon and oxygen are two elements that are extremely vital to human life, and they can be found in many common items. Both carbon and oxygen, as well as hydrogen, are found in sugar (sucrose), vinegar and alcohol.
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