Disclaimer: This is just 1 post on Chemistry and will not be continued. ( Special Episode)

As mentioned in the introduction, my interest is on Chemistry. In this episode of celebrity blogger, I will be introducing GASES.

Without gases, there’d be chaos. We would have nothing to breathe and balloons would fall out of the sky. Gases can be CHAOTIC- especially when they poison people or explode. But they’re interesting too. Sometimes, they can even be funny. Take nitrous oxide, better known as laughing gas, for example.

Name: Gas

Basic Facts: Gas is everywhere. There is something called the atmosphere. That's a big layer of gas that surrounds the Earth. Gases are random groups of atoms.

In the following paragraphs, I’ll be introducing the following gases: Methane Gas, Chlorine gas and Fluorine gas.

Methane gas

Data #1 Name: Methane gas

Basic Facts: Methane is a colorless, odorless gas with a wide distribution in nature.

Where can it be found? Methane gas bubbling from marshes catches fire to make ghostly lights called will-o’-the-wisps. Also, you’ll find methane gas in Cow and Human FARTS… and the gas that people use for cooking. It’s true!

How is it produced? Methane is produced when organic wastes decay.

Contribution to Global warming: If methane is released right into the atmosphere, it is a powerful greenhouse gas. That means it adds to global warming. Using it to make energy instead reduces the amount of methane that is put into the atmosphere. For this reason, energy recovery from methane is good for the environment.

Personal reflection

Personally, this is not my favorite chemical gas. However, methane gas, due to its wide distribution, reduces mankind’s reliance on coal. This will, in turn, reduce global warming in 2 ways. Firstly, methane, by itself, contributes to global warming. If more of it is used up, lesser methane gas will contribute to global warming! Also, methane reduces reliance on coal, a great factor to contributing to global warming as it produces carbon dioxide.

Chlorine gas

Data #2 Name: Chlorine gas

Basic Facts: Chlorine gas is a greenish yellow. Chlorine figures prominently in many organic chemistry reactions, particularly in substitutions with hydrogen.

What is Chlorine gas used for? Chlorine is used in many everyday products. It is used for disinfecting drinking water. Chlorine is used in the production of textiles, paper products, dyes, petroleum products

How is it produced? The element is obtained from chlorides by electrolysis or via the action of oxidizing agents.

Horrible facts: Chlorine gas was used to poison soldiers during world war I!

Personal reflection

Chlorine is a very reactive kind of gas. As a result, it can be very helpful or destructive to mankind. For example, chlorine can be used to kill germs in the pool, used to disinfect water, used to produce paper products. However, it can also be used to kill humans. Hence, chlorine must be handled carefully, or consequences will be disastrous should it fall into the wrong hands. One good example will be World War I, where many soldiers died of gas attacks.

Fluorine Gas

Data #3 Name: Fluorine Gas

Basic Facts: Fluorine is a highly toxic, pale yellow gas about 1.3 times as heavy as air at atmospheric temperature and pressure.

What is Fluorine Gas used for? Fluorides are often added to toothpaste and, somewhat controversially, to municipal water supplies to prevent dental cavities.

Personal reflection

Fluorine gas is the most powerful oxidizing agent known, reacting with practically all organic and inorganic substances. Like chlorine, it is very reactive, and should be handled carefully. J

Now... On to the more interesting part...

Applications of gases in World War I

Gas was invented (and very successfully used) as a terror weapon meant to instill confusion and panic among the enemy prior to an offensive. It was a sort of physiological weapon with the non-lethal tearing agents inflicting as much panic as the dreaded mustard gas. Sometimes the tear gas would be sent over first to get soldiers to remove their gas masks thereby making them more vulnerable to a later attack with one of the more deadly types.

Below is a conversation between a veteran and new German soldier in a trench during World War I (created by me):

Jack: “The gas attack... Tell me about it...”

Bill Macedon sighed deeply and said, “It’s a bloody story... Not for kids...”

Jack, brimming with curiosity, persisted, “You said you would entertain me... I’m bored...”

Bill, with his deep voice, pondered over it, “Aye, I did. But you might not be able to stomach it..”

“Can’t be that bad, can it? Please, I need to know…” Jack insisted.

Bill thought over it. There was nothing to lose. Jack would experience it sooner or later.

“ Alright son, here’s the deal. I’ll tell you the story, but in exchange, keep your head and voice down in case you’re spotted.” Bill whispered.

“ We were near the France, camping in a trench. You should know about the fights there. Well, it was peaceful, for the moment at least. We were having tea when it happened.”

“ What.. What?” Jack crept closer.

“ Gas…” Bill shivered at the thought, “Gas attack. Mustard gas , tear gas, chlorine gas. They were used generously... It was hideous, a yellow fog descending upon us. I was only saved by the breeze of wind that blew the fog away. “

Suddenly, the soldiers heard an approaching bomb shell. It soared through the air and whistled. Both of them bended low, ducking their heads and waited for the bang that never came. Instead, only a gentle pop was heard.

Jack turned pale and exclaimed,” GAS GAS!”

There were sounds of groans and movement as soldiers fumbled to put on their gas mask. Only one man did nothing. One man who saw the worst of gas warfare and knew what to expect. Bill Macedon.

“ DON’T BE SILLY, JACK!” Bill cried, “ Gas shells don’t whistle like that!”

-The end-