The science behind emergency oxygen

By Nina Notman2022-10-24T08:21:00

A scientist demonstrating how to put on an oxygen mask in an emergency

Source: © Son of Alan/Folio Art

How chemistry provides oxygen for breathing in emergency situations

Have you ever considered where the oxygen in aircraft oxygen masks comes from? Let’s clear the air then … for most passenger aircraft, the answer is a chemical reaction. These devices are called chemical oxygen generators and they generate molecular oxygen by chemical means. Read this article to learn about these, as well as other clever oxygen-producing and life-saving devices, for some unique context to help you breathe new life into your 11–14 chemistry classes.

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