Question

Carbon dioxide is generally heavier than oxygen and nitrogen. Why do it not form lower layer in the atmosphere?

Answer 1

• At room temperatures and higher temperatures, the gases have a lot of mobility. The molecules have high velocity and due to winds too, they mix and flow in all directions.
• So all the Carbon dioxide does not settle at the lowest altitude. Also, the amount of CO₂ keeps changing due to the generation and depletion of CO₂ by living beings and plants respectively. This cycle continues.
• In short, due to the intermixing of gases, CO₂ does not settle down forming a separate lower layer and is found in all layers of the atmosphere.
• But if some people remain for a long duration in a totally sealed room, then the CO₂ concentration increases and settles at the lower altitudes and that is dangerous to life.