Lawrence Haynes | 4 minutes | 08/28/2025

What Is a Noble Gas?

A noble gas is a chemically inert element found in Group 18 of the periodic table. Noble gases include helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon. These gases have full outer electron shells, which make them highly stable and unlikely to form chemical bonds under normal conditions. In this guide, we’ll explore the fundamental properties …

Lawrence Haynes | 5 minutes | 08/27/2025

Is Krypton Rare?

Krypton is one of the rarest gases on Earth, present in our atmosphere at only about 1 part per million (ppm). This scarcity makes it significantly more challenging and expensive to extract compared to other industrial gases. In this guide, we’ll explore why krypton is so rare. You’ll also learn how its limited availability affects …

Tyler O'Brien | 5 minutes | 08/26/2025

How Cold is Liquid CO₂?

The temperature range of CO₂ is  between -56.6°C and 31.1°C, but only under specific pressure conditions above 5.11 atmospheres. Unlike water, which remains liquid at atmospheric pressure across a wide temperature spectrum, liquid carbon dioxide requires carefully controlled pressure and temperature to prevent it from turning into solid dry ice or gas. In this guide, …

Lawrence Haynes | 3 minutes | 08/25/2025

What Is Ethylene Used For?

Ethylene is primarily used in the production of plastics, chemicals, and agricultural applications. It’s the backbone of various manufacturing processes and plays a crucial role across industries. This guide outlines the most common uses of ethylene to show how you can leverage it in your operations. You’ll also learn about some lesser-known specialized applications that …

Lawrence Haynes | 4 minutes | 08/21/2025

Is Dry Ice Dangerous?

Yes, dry ice is dangerous and poses several risks, including: With temperatures of -109°F (-78.5°C), dry ice can cause immediate tissue damage upon contact while releasing CO₂ gas that displaces oxygen in enclosed spaces. In this guide, we’ll explore the main hazards of dry ice and examine real-world incidents that highlight these dangers. We’ll also …

Lawrence Haynes | 5 minutes | 08/20/2025

Is Xenon a Noble Gas?

Yes, xenon is a noble gas belonging to Group 18 of the periodic table, alongside helium, neon, argon, krypton, and radon. This classification is not merely academic – it has significant implications for industrial applications, medical uses, and specialized technologies where xenon’s unique properties are highly beneficial. In this guide, you’ll learn: The Noble Gas …

Lawrence Haynes | 6 minutes | 08/19/2025

How Is CO₂ Used in Cell Culture?

CO₂ is used for maintaining pH balance in cell culture media through the CO₂-bicarbonate buffer system, which keeps cells viable and healthy. This controlled environment also regulates temperature and humidity while supporting proper cellular metabolism. In this guide, we’ll explore the critical biochemical mechanisms behind CO₂ use in cell culture. We’ll also discuss optimal concentration …

Lawrence Haynes | 5 minutes | 08/19/2025

Why Are Noble Gases Unreactive?

Noble gases are unreactive because their outer electron shells are completely filled, making them chemically stable. This full valence shell prevents them from forming bonds with other atoms.  In this guide, we’ll explore the fundamental reasons behind noble gas stability. We’ll examine the energy barriers that prevent reactions and discuss why some heavier noble gases …

Lawrence Haynes | 5 minutes | 08/18/2025

How Cold Is Dry Ice?

Dry ice reaches an extreme temperature of -78.5°C (-109.3°F) as it sublimates under standard atmospheric pressure. This temperature can drop even lower under certain conditions, which makes dry ice one of the coldest materials commonly used in industrial applications. In this guide, we’ll explore the temperature properties of dry ice, as well as: WestAir supplies dry …

Tyler O'Brien | 5 minutes | 08/15/2025

Dry Ice vs. Regular Ice

The main difference between dry ice and regular ice lies in their composition and phase behavior: dry ice is solid carbon dioxide (CO₂) that sublimates directly from solid to gas at -78.5°C (-109.3°F), while regular ice is solid water that melts into liquid at 0°C (32°F). Regular ice also leaves behind water residue during melting, …

Lawrence Haynes | 4 minutes | 08/14/2025

What Gases Are Used by Pharmaceuticals?

Pharmaceutical companies rely on many gases including nitrogen, oxygen, and CO₂ throughout drug production. These gases serve critical functions from creating inert atmospheres to sterilizing medical devices and ensuring product stability. In this guide, we’ll explore the primary gas applications in pharmaceutical production and why purity standards matter for drug safety and efficacy. WestAir supplies …

Tyler O'Brien | 5 minutes | 08/12/2025

Is Helium a Noble Gas?

Helium is a noble gas classified as the first element in Group 18 of the periodic table. This classification stems from helium’s electron configuration of 1s², which represents a completely filled valence shell with no unpaired electrons, making it chemically unreactive in normal circumstances. In this guide, we’ll explore helium’s fundamental properties as a noble …