Composition of air

COMPOSITION OF AIR

THE CONTENTS OF AIR :

1. Nitroge [78%]
2. Oxygen [21%]
3. Carbon Dioxide [0.03%]
4. Inert Gases [0.97%]

WHAT IS INERT GASES?

An inert gas is a gas that does not undergo chemical reactions under a set of
given conditions such as helium, argon, neon, xenon and krypton.

IS AIR A MIXTURE ?

Air is mixture because the components can be separated by a physical
method, which is fractional distillation.

The importance of gases

1. OXYGEN

 Respiration
 Combustion of rocket engine at high altitudes
 Welding and steel cutting
 Preparation of various compounds

2. CARBON DIOXIDE

 Photosynthesis
 Production of carbonated drinks
 Fire extinguisher
 Carbon cycle

3. NITROGEN

 Production of nitric acid and ammonia
 Nitrogen cycle
 Liquid nitrogen as cooling agent
4. INERT GASES

 Helium is used to fill hot air balloons and weather balloons
 Neon gas is used in advertising lights
 Argon gas is used in light bulbs

Carbon cycle

Carbon cycle is the cycle that maintains the content of carbon dioxide in the air
by continuosly taking carbon dioxide from the air and returning it to the air.

 Carbon cycle begins when green plants absorb carbon dioxide through
photosynthesis.

 Animals that eat plants obtain carbon elements from them.
 When the plants and animals die, they decompose.
 Decomposition caused by bacteria and fungi in the soil releases carbon

dioxide.
 Burning of fossils fuels that contain carbon like coal and petrol also

releases carbon dioxide.
 During respiration, all plants and animals release carbon dioxide.
 These processes such as decomposition, combustion and respiration are

balanced by photosynthesis.

Oxygen cycle

Oxygen cycle is a continous cycle that takes oxygen from the air and returns it
to the air.

 Oxygen needed in respiration, rusting, combustion and decomposition is
obtained from photosynthesis.

WAYS TO PREVENT INFERENCES IN THE OXYGEN AND CARBON CYCLES
1. Prohibit illegal logging
2. Do not burn forests
3. Prevent excessive release of smoke from from vehicles
4. Avoid using excessive pesticides
5. Reforestation