Final answer:
When carbon is burned with oxygen, carbon dioxide is produced. This gas contributes to global warming.
Step-by-step explanation:
When elemental carbon is burned into the atmosphere with plenty of oxygen gas present, the product is carbon dioxide (CO₂). This is because carbon reacts with oxygen during combustion to form carbon dioxide.
The balanced equation for the combustion of carbon is C(s) + O₂(g) → CO₂(g). This means that for every one mole of carbon, one mole of carbon dioxide is produced.
For example, if we burn 1 gram of carbon, we would produce approximately 3.67 grams of carbon dioxide, assuming complete combustion.
Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. It is released into the atmosphere when we burn fossil fuels such as coal and gasoline.