Posted by Dr. Science on 10/26/2011 in
Question |
The earth’s atmosphere is 79% nitrogent and 20% oxygen. If I found myself in a place where the air hadn’t mixed well, and it was all nitrogen, how would I find the oxygen molecules, since both gases are invisible?
———- from Laurie Klemme of Grass Valley CA
First of all, you’d have to hold your breath because nitrogen is a deadly poison. They used to call it “miasma” — or “melancholy vapor” — and it was thought to be the source of all disease. Nowadays, it’s largely been replaced by freon, but the new legislation is going to phase out freon in favor of Gardol, a toothpase ingredient we still have plenty of. Getting back to your question, well, if you’re wearing extended wear contact lenses, you might be able to notice an amber sheen on the bottom side of the oxygen molecules. Then just go over and inhale. If not, well, you’d be dead within seconds. Eek.
