A sample of air is slowly passed through aqueous sodium hydroxide and then over heated copper. Which gases are removed by this process?

The gases that are removed by this process are carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2).

Here's the step-by-step explanation:

1. When air is passed through aqueous sodium hydroxide (NaOH), the sodium hydroxide will react with any carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) present in the air.

2. The reactions are as follows:

   • NaOH + CO2 -> Na2CO3 + H2O (This reaction removes carbon dioxide from the air)
   • 2NaOH + SO2 -> Na2SO3 + H2O (This reaction removes sulfur dioxide from the air)

3. The air is then passed over heated copper. The heated copper will react with any remaining oxygen (O2) in the air:

   • 2Cu + O2 -> 2CuO (This reaction removes oxygen from the air)

So, the gases removed by this process are carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and oxygen.