What is the composition of air around us that we even breathe
In today’s science lesson, we will learn about air, What is the composition of air around us that we even breathe.
Dear friends, The air we breathe is a mixture of gases, primarily composed of major components and some trace gases. 1st learn about-
Major Components of Air
1. Nitrogen (N₂) - ~78%
• The most abundant gas in the atmosphere, it is relatively inert and plays a critical role in maintaining atmospheric stability.
2. Oxygen (O₂) - ~21%
• Essential for respiration in humans, animals, and most other living organisms.
3. Argon (Ar) - ~0.93%
• A noble gas that is chemically inert and present in small amounts.
4. Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) - ~0.04%
• Vital for plant photosynthesis and plays a significant role in regulating Earth’s temperature through the greenhouse effect.
Trace Gases present in air
• Neon (Ne), Helium (He), Methane (CH₄), Krypton (Kr), Hydrogen (H₂), and others make up less than 0.01% of air.
Variable Components
These vary depending on location and conditions:
1. Water Vapor (H₂O) - 0–4%
• The amount of water vapor depends on humidity levels.
2. Ozone (O₃)
• Found mostly in the upper atmosphere, where it forms the ozone layer, but also exists in small amounts near Earth’s surface.
3. Dust, Pollutants, and Aerosols
• Tiny particles such as dust, smoke, and chemical pollutants are present in varying quantities.
Importance of Air around us
• Oxygen is critical for survival as it enables cellular respiration.
• Nitrogen is vital for plant growth (via the nitrogen cycle).
• Other gases play roles in processes like photosynthesis, atmospheric pressure regulation,
Learn more interesting scientific facts in our science book- Interesting facts about all elements of periodic table by author Jitendra Singh Sandhu
