Air and its components from "summary" of The IIT Foundation Series - Chemistry Class 8, 2/e by
Air is a mixture of gases, mainly nitrogen and oxygen, that is essential for the survival of most organisms. It also contains other gases such as carbon dioxide and water vapor in smaller amounts. Air plays an important role in the environment, both by providing oxygen for living things and by trapping heat from the sun.- Air is a mixture of different elements that are found throughout the atmosphere and play an important role in the environment. It is composed mainly of nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and other trace gases. All of these components interact to create the air we breathe and exist in everyday life.
- Oxygen is the most essential component of air because it supports respiration, which keeps us alive. Without oxygen, our cells would be unable to use energy effectively, leading to death in minutes. Oxygen makes up about Twenty-One percent (21%) of the Earth's atmosphere.
- Argon is another gas found in air (0.93% by volume) and is important for its large thermal conductivity that helps maintain temperatures in the atmosphere. It can also be used for welding and various types of lighting applications due to its non-reactive nature.
- Water vapor is found in varying amounts depending on location and temperature. It plays a critical role in the formation of clouds, fog, rain, and snow. The relative humidity of air is also one of its central characteristics - too low and it's uncomfortable; too high and you might have condensation problems.
- Carbon dioxide is found in small traces in the atmosphere but it is gaining more attention due to its role in climate change. Although it only exists at 400 parts per million, it contributes greatly to the warming of the atmosphere due to increased photosynthesis and decreased ocean absorption capabilities.
- Trace gases make up a very small amount of the total composition of the atmosphere, but they are still important. Some examples are ozone, fluorocarbons, chlorine, sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxide, ammonia, methane, and hydrogen sulfide, all of which play a role in various natural systems.
