Coal Miners use gas mask while they are working in the mines These gas masks consist of activated - Chemistry - Surface Chemistry

Question

Coal Miners use gas mask while they are working in the mines These
gas masks consist of activated charcoal which adsorb harmful gases
like methane Since Physisorption is not specific in nature , The
charcoal should adsorb oxygen gas also right ?? Then how will the
coal miners breathe ??

Ravjot Kaur · Accepted Answer

Dear student
please find the solution to the asked query:

The activated charcoal containing gas masks are used by coal miners
to protect them from the suffocating gases and particulate matter
or ashes present in the coal mines The activated carbon binds the
materials by Vander Waal force or London dispersion force Thus
chemical compounds with large molecules , large molecular weight
and insolubility are easily adsorbed Activated carbon does not bind
well to oxygen and oxygen containing molecules like alcohols,
ammonia, glycols Thus the oxygen gas does not get adsorbed on the
charcoal

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Coal Miners use gas mask while they are working in the mines . These gas masks consist of activated charcoal which adsorb harmful gases like methane . Since Physisorption is not specific in nature , The charcoal should adsorb oxygen gas also right ?? Then how will the coal miners breathe ??