What is air made up of ?
Gasses like oxygen gases like oxygen nitrogen and carbon dioxide along with dust particles water vapour come price of air.
What is air made up of ?
Introduction:
Air is a mixture of gases that surround the Earth. It is essential for the survival of all living organisms, including humans. Let's explore in detail what air is made up of.
Composition of Air:
Air is mainly composed of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and traces of other gases. The composition of air can be represented as follows:
Nitrogen (N2):
- Nitrogen is the most abundant gas in the Earth's atmosphere, making up approximately 78% of the air.
- It is a colorless and odorless gas.
- Nitrogen is not used directly by most living organisms, but it is essential for the growth of plants.
Oxygen (O2):
- Oxygen is the second most abundant gas in the atmosphere, comprising about 21% of the air.
- It is a colorless and odorless gas necessary for the survival of most living organisms.
- Oxygen is required for respiration, the process by which organisms convert food into energy.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2):
- Carbon dioxide is present in the atmosphere in small amounts, approximately 0.04%.
- It is a greenhouse gas that helps regulate the Earth's temperature by trapping heat.
- Carbon dioxide is produced by the respiration of living organisms and the burning of fossil fuels.
Other Gases:
- Air also contains trace amounts of other gases, including argon, neon, helium, methane, and ozone.
- Argon is the most abundant trace gas, making up about 0.93% of the air.
- Ozone is present in the Earth's upper atmosphere and plays a crucial role in protecting life on Earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the Sun.
Water Vapor:
- Apart from gases, air also contains variable amounts of water vapor, depending on the humidity of the environment.
- Water vapor is the gaseous form of water and is essential for the water cycle and the formation of clouds, rain, and other forms of precipitation.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, air is composed primarily of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and traces of other gases. Nitrogen and oxygen are the main components, with nitrogen being the most abundant. Understanding the composition of air is crucial to comprehend its importance for life on Earth and the processes that occur within our atmosphere.
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed Class 6 study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in Class 6.