Arsine facts for kids
Arsine is a special chemical compound. It is also known as arsenic hydride. Its chemical formula is AsH3. This means it is made of hydrogen and arsenic.
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What is Arsine Like?
Arsine is a gas that has no color. It has a weak smell, a bit like garlic. It can easily catch fire. When it burns, it forms other arsenic compounds. If you heat arsine, it breaks down into arsenic and hydrogen. It can dissolve in water. Arsine is heavier than air. It reacts strongly with certain chemicals called oxidizing agents.
How is Arsine Made?
Scientists make arsine in different ways. One way is to mix an arsenic compound with a hydride. Another way is to mix an arsenide with an acid. Arsine was first made by mixing zinc, hydrochloric acid, and arsenic trioxide.
What is Arsine Used For?
Arsine is used to make semiconductors. These are materials used in electronics, like gallium arsenide. These materials are important for making computers and other electronic devices.
Arsine was once considered for use in warfare. This was because it is hard to smell and is heavier than air, so it could spread along the ground. However, it was found to be unstable and could easily catch fire, which made it difficult to use.
Is Arsine Safe?
Arsine is very dangerous. Even a tiny amount can make people sick. A very small amount, like 0.00005%, can poison someone. A larger amount, like 0.025%, can quickly be deadly.
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See also
In Spanish: Arsano para niños
