Shielding in Chemistry - The Hydrogen

Shielding in Chemistry - The HydrogenShielding in Chemistry has two main concerns. First, the shielding system must be able to withstand even the worst environments that can occur in experiments and second, the shield must be able to maintain the integrity of the experiment and reduce the effect of external influences, such as atmospheric conditions, heat sources and pressure changes.For the first concern, carbon dioxide (CO2) is used to provide shielding. When a substance is added to a gas containing oxygen it combines with the oxygen and creates an atmosphere. The two gases combine to create this atmosphere and a molecular bond is formed. This bond is that with the molecular nucleus of the oxygen molecule.In the atmosphere, the carbon dioxide and the oxygen go through a series of chemical reactions to form some compounds. These compounds are less dense than the air and, as they rise in the atmosphere, are being compressed. This is because the water molecules around them are more de nse than the air. As the molecules rise, the water molecules are pressurised causing them to rise. The release of this compressed air also causes compression in the surrounding gas molecules which, in turn, causes the atoms of the molecules to become separated.In order to stabilize the rising molecules, a water molecule is positioned between the two slightly buoyant atoms of the surrounding gas molecules. Since this water molecule is similar to the surrounding water molecules, it is protected from the pressurised air and is able to float to the top of the molecule. This water molecule then becomes 'smeared' with the surrounding molecules due to the attractive force.The smeared water molecule is then able to slide down the middle of the molecular line and join up with the central part of the water molecule. If the pressurised air has not caused the molecules to move far enough apart, then the smeared water molecules will combine with the neighbouring molecules in a water-oil structur e and form a lubricating fluid.While this oil does not allow the two molecules to combine and form a long molecule, it provides a protective barrier and prevents the water molecules from being separated. As a result, the pressurised air has much less effect on the molecule which means it is more stable.Once the apparatus is put into a sealed room, which has high temperatures, it is important that there is always an open supply of hydrogen. The hydrogen will change the molecular structure of the CO2 and could potentially cause it to explode.