What Is Air Made Up Of
Key Notes :
Definition of Air:
- Air is a mixture of different gases, not a single substance.
- It is colorless, odorless, and essential for life.
Composition of Air:
- Nitrogen (78%): The largest component; helps plants grow by fixing in the soil.
- Oxygen (21%): Essential for respiration in humans, animals, and plants.
- Carbon Dioxide (0.03–0.04%): Needed by plants for photosynthesis.
- Other Gases: Argon, helium, neon, and methane are present in trace amounts.
- Water Vapor: Contributes to humidity and weather patterns.
- Dust Particles: Microscopic particles are found suspended in air.
Importance of Components:
- Oxygen: Vital for breathing and burning.
- Carbon Dioxide: Used by plants to make food and helps regulate Earth’s temperature.
- Nitrogen: Maintains balance and stability in the atmosphere.
Layers of Air:
- Air surrounds the Earth and forms the atmosphere, which has different layers like the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere.
Air and Life:
- All living beings depend on air for survival.
- Plants, animals, and humans utilize the gases in air in different ways.
Air Pollution:
- Harmful substances like smoke and chemicals can pollute air, affecting health and the environment.
Interesting Facts:
- Air exerts pressure known as air pressure.
- Air can expand when heated and contract when cooled.
Activities for Understanding:
- Experiment: Show that air has weight by inflating a balloon and weighing it.
- Observation: Breathing in and out to feel the oxygen exchange.
Let’s practice!
