Question

Potassium superoxide `(KO_(2))` is used as a source of oxygen in submarines , space shuttles and in oxygen musks . How does it work ?

Answer 1

The moisture of the breath reacts with potassium superoxide `(KO_(2))` to liberate `O_(2)` , and at the same time the KOH formed removes `CO_(2)` as it is exhaled thereby allowing the atmosphere in the submarines , space shuttles and oxygen masks to be continuously regenerated .
`4 KO_(2) (s) + 2 H_(2)O (s) to 4KOH (aq) + 3 O_(2)(g)`
`KOH (aq) + CO_(2) (g) to KHCO_(3)(s)`