QQRFIntroduction to the Components of Air

Q(1);

The mixture of gases that makes up the Earth’s atmosphere is known as air. Nitrogen makes
up 78 % of this gas, which is mixed with oxygen (21%), water vapour (variable), argon (0.9
%), carbon dioxide (0.04%), and trace gases. There is no apparent scent or colour in pure air.
Dust, pollen, and spores are common contaminants in the air; additional contaminants are
referred to as “air pollution.” Because there is no air in space, the so-called air on another
planet, such as Mars, would have a different composition.

Components of air
We all know that air surrounds us everywhere on this planet. One cannot imagine the
existence of life without air. Ever wondered what is air made up of? Is it a mixture or a pure
substance? In ancient times, the air was thought to be a pure substance but was later found to
be a mixture of many gases. The composition of air is not constant and changes from place to
place. For example: in polluted areas, since emissions of carbon dioxide are very high
therefore, they have the higher percentage of carbon dioxide. The main components of air are
explained below:

Water vapour: We know that water present in oceans and rivers evaporates during summer
and escapes into the air. Thus water vapour is one of the components of the air. It occupies
very less percentage of the earth’s atmosphere.
Oxygen: Have you ever tried to burn a candle in absence of air? If you would try you would
notice that it doesn’t burn in absence of air. Air contains some matter which supports
combustion. This substance is oxygen. Oxygen is one of the major components of air around
us. Air comprises almost 21% oxygen.

Nitrogen: When you blow over a burning candle you notice that it extinguishes. This means
air contains incombustible gases (gases which don’t support combustion) too. This is majorly
due to the presence of nitrogen. Nitrogen occupies nearly 78% of the earth’s atmosphere and
is the most abundant gas on our planet.

Carbon dioxide: Carbon dioxide is mainly produced due to respiration by plants and animals
or the burning of fuel. It occupies 0.038% of the earth’s atmosphere. Its occupancy keeps on
changing from one place to another in our atmosphere.

Smoke and dust particles: Smoke is present in our atmosphere due to the burning of fuels.
Its occupancy varies from place to place. It is a mixture of gases and is often harmful. Apart
from these, dust particles are also present in our atmosphere which we observe when we see a
ray of light in a dark room. Smoke and dust particles occupy less than 1% of earth’s
atmosphere.

Q1

What is the air in chemistry?

Air is a mixture of a number of different gases. Nitrogen, oxygen, which is essential for
animals and humans’ survival, carbon dioxide, water vapour, and trace amounts of other
elements make up the atmosphere (argon, neon, etc.).
Q2

What type of mixture is air?

Air is a solution as well: it’s a homogeneous mixture of gaseous nitrogen solvent and oxygen,
as well as smaller amounts of other gaseous solutes.
Q3

Where on earth do we find air?

Air can be found almost everywhere on the planet, except where there is water. Air can even
be found in the earth’s surface layer, in the soil. Air is found not just on Earth, but also in the
atmosphere, which is a layer of air that surrounds the planet. Depending on temperature and
height, the atmosphere can be separated into layers. Straight borders do not clearly
distinguish these lines; they eventually overflow one another.
Q4

What is air pressure?

The force that air exerts on objects is known as air pressure. As a result of the earth’s
magnetic attraction force, all air in the atmosphere presses against it. Every item and life form
on Earth, including tables, roofs, and houses, as well as humans, animals, and plants, is
subjected to air pressure.
Q5

What is wind?

The term “wind” refers to air that is moving. The air moves as a result of many sorts of air
pressure on the surface of the earth. Wind direction and force can be extremely variable.
Cardinal points are a term used to describe wind force.
QQ2;

What is the Composition of Air?

What do we take in for survival? We intake the oxygen. However, the air we
breathe doesn’t contain oxygen only; it has a composition of several gases. The
characteristics of these gases are:

1. Nitrogen & oxygen are present in bulk in the atmosphere.

2. Carbon Dioxide, Helium, Ozone, Argon are present in a lesser amount.
3. Minute dust particles are also present in the atmosphere.
4. Plants require nitrogen for their survival, which they can’t take direction,
so they take CO from the atmosphere.
2

Therefore, bacteria present in the soil and the roots of plants take N and convert
2

it into the form that is usable for plants.

Nitrogen is the plenteous gas in the atmosphere. Now, we will talk about other
essential gases.

Oxygen
Oxygen is the second most copious gas in the air.
• During photosynthesis, plants release oxygen into the atmosphere.
• Humans and other living creatures take in oxygen for their survival.

Carbon Dioxide
 • Carbon dioxide is another essential gas in the atmosphere after N and
2

O.2

• Green plants utilize carbon dioxide (CO ) to prepare their food and
2

release O into the atmosphere.

2

Point to Ponder
The amount of carbon dioxide expelled by humans or other living beings
appears to be equivalent to the amount used by the plants, thereby making an
exact balance in the atmosphere. However, this statement doesn’t maintain
verity, do you know why?

If We Talk About the Below-Mentioned Factors

• Industries
• The burning of fossil fuels
• Release of carbon dioxide by living beings.

The continuous discharge/emission of carbon dioxide is producing (creating) an

imbalance in the atmosphere. That’s why the above statement is wrong.

Chemical Composition of Air

The table lists the chemical composition of air:

Important Gases

Name of the Gas Chemical Formula In Percentage In ppmv

Nitrogen N 2 78.084 780,840

Oxygen O 2 20.946 209,460

Carbon Dioxide CO 2 0.039445 〜 0.04 394.45 〜 400

Trace Gases (out of 1%)

Helium He 0.00052 5.24

Neon Ne 0.001818 18.18

 Argon Ar 0.934 9,340

Krypton Kr 0.00011 1.14

Methane CH 4 0.000179 1.79

Hydrogen H 2 0.000055 0.55

Xenon Xe 0.000009 0.09

Ozone O 3 0.0-0.000007 0.0-0.07

Carbon Monoxide CO 0.00001 0.1

Nitrogen Dioxide NO 2 0.000002 0.02

The gases mentioned in the table are also known as the Principal Gases of Air.

Air and Its Properties

Air has the following properties:

1. Air takes up volume.

Air takes up the volume of the container it is kept in.

2. Air has mass/weight.

Take a balloon, measure its weight. Now, fill another balloon with air and
measure its weight. You will note a difference in their weights.

3. Air is affected by altitude/height.

The higher we go, the lower is the air pressure. Everest climbers use
oxygen tanks because, at higher altitudes, the oxygen becomes thin.
These tanks help climbers breathe normally.

4. Air is affected by temperature.

Higher is the temperature of the air, the faster the motion of air molecules.

5. Air exerts pressure in all directions.

 On shaking the cold-drink bottle and removing its cap, carbon dioxide
comes out with pressure and spreads in all directions.

6. Air is compressible.
Carbon dioxide inside the cold-drink bottle comes out with pressure on
removing the cap of the bottle.

The Table Below Shows the Properties of Air

Parameters Value

Density 1.229 kgm⁻³

Pressure 1.013 kN/m²

Specific Volume 0.814 m³/kg

Temperature 15⁰C / 288 K

Specific heat ratio 1.4

Gas Constant 0.286 J/g/K

Viscosity 1.73 x 10⁻⁵N - s/mc

Molecular Weight 28.97 grams per mole

Thermal Conductivity at 0 ⁰C 24.35 W/mK

Thermal Conductivity at 20 ⁰C 0.026 W/m/K

Gravity Acceleration 9.8 ms⁻²

Specific heat capacity (C )

P 1.006 kJ/kgK

Specific heat capacity (C )

V 0.7171 kJ/kgK
 Enthalpy at 0 ⁰C 11.57 kJ/mol or 399.4 kJ/kg

Entropy at 0 ⁰C 0.1100 kJ/mol K or 3.796 kJ/kg K

Triple Point Temperature 59.75 K or - 213.40 ⁰C or - 352.12°F

0.05196 atm
0.05265 bar
Triple Point Pressure
5265 Pa
0.7636 psi

QQ3.

Important Uses of Air

Air is a natural resource and is available abundantly. When we talk about the uses of air, the
first thing that we can say that it is the most important element that supports the vitality and
well being of all living things on the earth. Having said that, just like water, air is very useful
and it has a lot of applications.

• Sustain life and growth

• Combustion
• Maintaining Temperature
• Supplier of Energy
• Photosynthesis

Sustain Life and Growth

Air consists one of the main life-sustaining gas called oxygen. Almost all living things
breathe in and breathe out this air. Nitrogen and Carbon dioxide are also other gases that are
vital for plants and their growth.

Combustion
Apart from this, air supports burning or combustion. The oxygen present in air help in
burning of the fuels to basically carry out activities like cooking food, running industries and
vehicles as well as generating heat and electricity.
Temperature Control
Another important aspect of air is that it helps in maintaining the temperature on the earth
surface by circulating hot and cold air. Air acts as a conductor of heat as well. Even
phenomena such as water cycle are dependent on air.

Supplier of Energy
Air which consists of energy is one of the main suppliers of energy. Living things are made
up of cells and these cells extract oxygen within the blood to produce energy usually in the
form of ATP. This biochemical generation of ATP is essential to maintain life on the earth.

Photosynthesis
Carbon dioxide, which is a component of air is used by plants during the process of
photosynthesis. Here oxygen is also released by plants. And we already know how vital
oxygen is.

Apart from these, various gas in the air have different uses. For example, Nitrogen is used in
the production of ammonia whereas hydrogen and other gases are also used routinely in
science and technology.