The Mystery Of Polluted Oxygen: Float Or Sink?

The movement of polluted oxygen is influenced by factors such as temperature, the presence of other gases, and the game mechanics in the space-colony simulation game, Oxygen Not Included. While some players have observed polluted oxygen sinking below oxygen, others have witnessed it floating above. The behaviour of polluted oxygen is not solely determined by its density or temperature but also by the interaction with other gases and the game's mechanics.

Oxygen and polluted oxygen have the same density

In the space-colony simulation game Oxygen Not Included, players have observed that polluted oxygen (PO2) seems to sink below oxygen (O2). However, this is not due to a difference in density. Oxygen and polluted oxygen have the same density, and therefore, the same weight. The apparent sinking of polluted oxygen is due to several other factors.

Firstly, temperature plays a role. Cold gas tends to float downwards, so a cold PO2 tile may seem to sink, but this is simply due to its temperature. Additionally, the presence of other gases can influence the movement of oxygen and polluted oxygen. Gases tend to group with the same element, so if there is a layer of clean oxygen and CO2, polluted oxygen will form a layer above the CO2. The vertical position of oxygen and polluted oxygen will remain unchanged as long as other gases do not force it to move up or down.

The behaviour of gases in the game may also be influenced by the need to create engaging gameplay mechanics. For example, if polluted oxygen always rose above clean oxygen, it might as well not be included in the game. By having polluted oxygen form distinct layers, the game adds an extra challenge for players to manage and exploit.

In summary, while polluted oxygen may appear to sink below oxygen in Oxygen Not Included, this is not due to a difference in density. The two gases have the same density and weight. The vertical arrangement of the gases is influenced by factors such as temperature and the presence of other gases, as well as game design choices.

Temperature influences whether polluted oxygen rises or sinks

Temperature plays a crucial role in determining whether polluted oxygen rises or sinks. While some sources suggest that the behaviour of polluted oxygen is primarily influenced by factors such as gas density and the presence of other gases, temperature can have a significant impact on its movement.

In general, the temperature of the surrounding environment influences the buoyancy of polluted oxygen. When the temperature below the oxygen is hot, the polluted oxygen tends to rise. Conversely, if the temperature above the oxygen is cool, it will sink. This relationship between temperature and buoyancy suggests that heat plays a role in lifting polluted oxygen, while cooler temperatures cause it to descend.

However, it's important to note that the behaviour of polluted oxygen is not solely based on temperature. The density of the gases in the surrounding environment also comes into play. Polluted oxygen has the same density as regular oxygen, so they should mix without forming distinct layers. Yet, in practice, these two types of oxygen often form layers, with polluted oxygen sandwiched between two layers of regular oxygen. This behaviour is attributed to the tendency of gases to pool together, creating distinct layers of polluted and regular oxygen.

Additionally, the presence of other gases can influence the movement of polluted oxygen. For example, gases like CO2 or chlorine can force polluted oxygen to move up or down, disrupting its vertical position. The concentration of polluted oxygen in a given space also seems to impact its behaviour. In areas with a high concentration of polluted oxygen, it tends to sink, while in spaces with a lower concentration, it intermingles with regular oxygen.

While temperature influences the movement of polluted oxygen, it is just one factor among many that determine whether it rises or sinks. The interaction of temperature, gas density, and the presence of other gases creates a complex system that governs the behaviour of polluted oxygen in the environment.

Other gases can influence the movement of polluted oxygen

The movement of polluted oxygen is influenced by various factors, including temperature, concentration, and the presence of other gases. While polluted oxygen has the same weight as clean oxygen, it can appear to sink or float due to the temperature difference and the presence of other gases.

Temperature plays a crucial role in the movement of polluted oxygen. Cold polluted oxygen tends to float downwards, giving the impression of sinking. This occurs due to the minimal heat exchange between gas tiles, causing a downward movement. Conversely, if the temperature above the polluted oxygen is warm, it will rise.

The concentration of gases is another factor influencing the movement of polluted oxygen. Dalton's Law states that gases move from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. In the context of polluted oxygen, this means it will congregate and form a distinct layer, filling gaps between existing layers of other gases. For example, in an area with clean oxygen and carbon dioxide, polluted oxygen will form a layer above the carbon dioxide.

Other gases can significantly impact the vertical movement of polluted oxygen. Gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), chlorine, or hydrogen can force polluted oxygen to move up or down. The specific arrangement of gas layers depends on the types of gases present and their respective levels of concentration. For instance, in a confined space with varying concentrations of clean and polluted oxygen, the polluted oxygen may sink below the clean oxygen due to its higher concentration.

The movement of polluted oxygen is a complex interplay between temperature, gas concentration, and the influence of other gases. While temperature and concentration variations can create the appearance of sinking or floating, the primary driver of vertical movement is the presence of other gases. These gases exert their own pressure, as described by Dalton's Law, and can force polluted oxygen upwards or downwards, resulting in the formation of distinct layers.

Polluted oxygen tends to cluster with other polluted oxygen

In the video game Oxygen Not Included, players have observed that polluted oxygen tends to sink below clean oxygen. This occurs when the temperature above the polluted oxygen is cool. If the temperature below the polluted oxygen is cool, it will not rise. Conversely, if the temperature below is hot, the polluted oxygen will rise.

The behaviour of polluted oxygen can also be influenced by other gases. For example, in areas with high concentrations of clean oxygen and carbon dioxide (CO2), polluted oxygen will form a layer above the CO2. However, if there is also a layer of hydrogen present, the polluted oxygen may rise above it instead. The relative concentrations of clean and polluted oxygen in a given space can also impact their distribution, with highly concentrated polluted oxygen tending to sink below less concentrated polluted oxygen.

The layering phenomenon is not limited to polluted oxygen. Players have also observed that crude oil, which is heavier than saltwater, floats on top of saltwater in the game, despite not doing so in real life.

The location of clean and polluted oxygen depends on concentration

The location of clean and polluted oxygen in a given space depends on a variety of factors, including temperature, density, and concentration. In the context of the video game Oxygen Not Included, players have observed that polluted oxygen may sink below oxygen or form distinct layers.

For example, in a discussion on the game, a player notes that they have seen polluted oxygen sink below oxygen and asks if it has become heavier. Another player responds that the movement of polluted oxygen depends on temperature. They explain that if the temperature above is cool, polluted oxygen will sink below oxygen, and if the temperature below is cool, it will not rise. Additionally, if the temperature below is hot, polluted oxygen will rise, and if the temperature above is hot, it will not sink.

However, it is important to note that oxygen and polluted oxygen have the same weight and density. Thus, their vertical positioning should theoretically remain unchanged unless influenced by other gases such as CO2 or chlorine. This is supported by observations where polluted oxygen forms a distinct layer between two layers of oxygen. This occurs due to the tendency of gases to group with the same element.

The concentration of oxygen and polluted oxygen can also influence their relative positions. In confined spaces with high concentrations of polluted oxygen, it tends to be found at the bottom, while in areas with lower concentrations, it intermingles with clean oxygen.

While these behaviours have been observed in the game Oxygen Not Included, the principles of gas behaviour and buoyancy still apply and can provide insights into real-world gas interactions.

Frequently asked questions