Carbon Dioxide

Carbon Dioxide (represented in-game using the symbol ) is a compound which can be found as an environmental gas in the Microbe Stage.

Scientific Background

Carbon dioxide is a chemical compound consisting of one carbon atom bonded to two oxygen atoms, represented by the chemical formula CO₂. It exists as a colorless, odorless and non-flammable gas at room temperature. It becomes solid below -78.5 degrees Celsius under normal atmospheric pressure, in which form it is commonly referred to as "dry ice", and will sublimate (i.e. transition directly from solid to gas without melting into a liquid) into gaseous CO₂ at room temperature.

CO₂ is present as a trace gas in Earth's atmosphere, making up about 421 parts per million (ppm), or ~0.042% of air molecules. It is produced by all organisms which undergo aerobic respiration, and in the present day is released in large quantities by human burning of fossil fuels. It also serves as the primary source of carbon for life on Earth, as it is fixed by plants into carbohydrate molecules via photosynthesis.