JoinComparing the CO Content of Cigarette Smoke and Auto Exhaust: Measuring Concentrations of Toxic Vapor Using Gas Chromatography
This lab exercise investigates and compares the carbon monoxide content of automobile exhaust and cigarette smoke. The experiment uses gas chromatography with thermal conductivity detection to analyze the percentage by volume concentrations found in cigarette smoke and auto exhaust. Students discover that cigarette smoke has a much higher CO concentration than does the exhaust from a clean, well-maintained vehicle.