Carbon dioxide behaves as a supercritical fluid `(SCF)`

Options

A. below the critical pressure and temperature
B. below the critical pressure but above the critical temperature
C. above the critical pressure and temperature
D. above the critical pressure but below the critical temperature

Answer

C

Explanation

When a substance reaches the supercritical state, the physical properties of the fluid become intermediate between those of a gas and a liquid. The fluid's solvating powers resemble those of a liquid, while its diffusivity and viscosity resemble those of a gas.
In recent years, supercritical `CO_(2)` is used as a solvent to extract specific organic compounds from their natural sources, e.g., caffeine from coffee beans, nicotine from tobacco, etc.