Sandbox:furrycactus
Types of Gas
This section here covers most possible gases that can enter the atmosphere.
Oxygen (O₂): Oxygen is some crazy gas that most living things decided would be necessary to actually live, so now we're forced to breathe it, but not too much of it or you'll suffer oxygen poisoning and seizures. It's also evil, and it's required to start fires. Has a heat capacity value of 20, and a molar mass of 0.032 kg/mol.
Nitrogen (N₂): Nitrogen is a gas that pretty much no one cares about and our bodies don't metabolize it, yet it makes up about 79% of our atmosphere and is inert. Interesting! Has a heat capacity value of 20, and a molar mass of 0.028 kg/mol.
Air (Air): Actually just a mix of two gases at a concentration of 79% N₂ and 21% O₂, but it's this exact mixture that allows us to breathe normally. Theoretically you could replace the nitrogen with another inert gas and we'd still breathe just fine. If you want to sound like a nerd then call it nitrox.
Steam (H₂O): Sweet, life-giving water! Except, in a hot, gaseous, potentially dangerous state. If you're exposed to this without protection, it will cause burns. (This should be produced from the combustion of Hydrogen, but this is not implemented yet.) Has a heat capacity value of 30, and a molar mass of 0.020 kg/mol.
Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): Carbon Dioxide is well known for being what we exhale out of our lungs, and it also usually comes about from a lot of combustion reactions. CO₂ is toxic to crew in partial pressure concentrations of 7 kPa or greater. Has a heat capacity value of 30, and a molar mass of 0.044 kg/mol.
Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂): Sulphur Dioxide is a colourless, sharp-smelling gas that is typically a byproduct of the combustion of fossil fuels and volcanic eruptions. It acts as an irritant and can cause respiratory problems and irritation. SO₂ is typically not found on the SCCV Horizon, but can be found on exoplanets. Has a heat capacity value of 30, and a molar mass of 0.044 kg/mol.
Nitrous Oxide (N₂O): No, it's not N₂0, it's N₂O. Jamming twenty nitrogen atoms together would be stupid. Regardless, Nitrous Oxide is often seen as a "sleep agent" in that its effect on most biological bodies is anesthetic. It is also an oxidizer, so it is capable of starting fires if there is fuel present. Has a heat capacity value of 40, and a molar mass of 0.044 kg/mol.
Chlorine (Cl2): Chlorine is a yellow-green, noncombustible gas with a pungent, irritating odor. It is a strong oxidizing agent and can react explosively in the presence of flammable gasses. It also has a contaminating effect, seeping into and staining objects and clothing exposed without protective gear. Extremely dangerous, highly toxic and caustic, and with a history of being used as a chemical weapon in Earth's past, Chlorine is not found on the SCCV Horizon, but can be present on particularly unpleasant exoplanets or through other means. Has a heat capacity value of 5, and a molar mass of 0.017 kg/mol.
Hydrogen (H₂): Hydrogen, the most common element in the universe, is an extremely light gas that is inert and pretty much safe to breathe. It also happens to be a fuel, and its combustion leads to the formation of water. Isn't that interesting? Water can be described as the ashes of Hydrogen combusting! (This is not currently implemented however, and H₂ combustion will produce CO₂ like any other fire.) Has a heat capacity value of 100, and a molar mass of 0.002 kg/mol.
Deuterium (²H): Deuterium is a stable isotope of Hydrogen, is inert and safe to breathe, and is an important resource for nuclear fusion. While not as common as Hydrogen, Deuterium is still incredibly abundant in the universe, being easily harvested from sea water. Also like Hydrogen, it is extremely flammable, but typically is not found on the SCCV Horizon in gaseous form outside of an active INDRA fusion reactor, or occasionally on exoplanets Has a heat capacity value of 80, and a molar mass of 0.004 kg/mol.
Tritium (³H): Tritium is an unstable isotope of Hydrogen, and is also incredibly rare, requiring nuclear fission or advanced mining refinement to produce quantities sufficient for energy generation, but is an important resource for nuclear fusion. It is incredibly flammable like Hydrogen and Deuterium, and if that wasn't bad enough, is radioactive. Fortunately it is typically not found in gaseous form on the SCCV Horizon outside of an active INDRA fusion reactor, unless brought back from an exoplanet atmosphere by somebody who made a mistake with shuttle airlocks. Has a heat capacity value of 60, and a molar mass of 0.006 kg/mol.
Helium (He): Helium is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, and inert gas that is safe to breathe, and is an important resource for nuclear fusion. It's much lighter than air, and is also probably what you commonly associate with balloons, birthday parties, and squeaky voices. Has a heat capacity value of 80, and a molar mass of 0.004 kg/mol.
Boron (B): Boron is a metalloid, and is a very important and potentially very dangerous resource for nuclear fusion. Generally safe and chemically inert, Boron poses little risk to crew if it leaks into the air. Has a heat capacity value of 11, and a molar mass of 0.011 kg/mol.
Phoron (PH): The mystery magic space gas. What does it do? Who knows, find out yourself! A few things that it does do, though, is poison most organics, contaminate items and clothing when protective equipment isn't worn, and make you go blind. It's also a fuel, and an expensive one at that given the scarcity crisis. Has a heat capacity value of 200, and a rather chunky molar mass of 0.405 kg/mol.
