Which among the following is used as a source of oxygen in submarine in emergency breathing apparatus?
Which among the following is used as a source of oxygen in submarine in emergency breathing apparatus?
potassium superoxide
sodium peroxide
rubidium superoxide
lithium monoxide
Solution
Potassium superoxide $\left(\mathrm{KO}_{2}\right)$ is used as a source of oxygen in submarines in emergency breathing apparatus because it has ability to absorb carbon dioxide and give out oxygen at the same time.
$4 \mathrm{KO}_{2}+2 \mathrm{CO}_{2} \longrightarrow 2 \mathrm{~K}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3}+3 \mathrm{O}_{2} \uparrow$