Chapter 5: The Air Around Us

(Revision)

5.1 What is Air Made Up of?

Air is a mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide and inert gases (helium, argon, xenon, neon, krypton and radon. Air is a mixture because the composition of air is not fixed. Air is odourless and colourless. Nitrogen is the largest component of air (78%) Air also contains water vapour, microorganism and dust.

Composition of air by volume:

Inert gases(gas nadir) and others (0.97%) Carbon dioxide (0.03%) Nitrogen (78%)

Oxygen (21%)

5.2 The Properties of oxygen and Carbon Dioxide

Properties
Solubility in water Solubility in sodium hydroxide solution Effect on glowing wooden splinter Effect on burning wooden splinter

Oxygen
Slightly soluble Not soluble The splinter ignites (oxygen supports burning) Splinter burns more brightly (oxygen supports burning) Oxygen has no effect on blue litmus paper or red litmus paper (oxygen is a neutral gas)

Carbon dioxide
Slightly soluble Very soluble The splinter goes out (Carbon dioxide does not support burning) Splinter goes out (Carbon dioxide does not support burning)

Effect on moist blue litmus paper and red litmus paper

Blue litmus paper: Changes to red. Red litmus paper: No change of colour. (carbon dioxide is an acidic gas)

Effect on lime water

Effect on bicarbonate indicator

No change
No change

Lime water turns cloudy

Changes the colour of bicarbonate indicator from red to yellow

Identification Tests
Oxygen
Oxygen makes a burning splinter burns brighter and relights or rekindles a glowing splinter

Carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide turns lime water chalky or cloudy

5.3 Oxygen is Needed in Respiration

Respiration is a process whereby our body obtains energy from food. Respiration takes place in the cells body. Respiration needs oxygen.
Oxygen Energy Carbon dioxide Food (sugar) Water

Comparison between the composition of inhaled air and exhaled air

Composition Oxygen Carbon dioxide Water vapour Nitrogen Inhaled air 21% 0.03% Less 78% Exhaled air 16% 4% More 78%

5.4 Oxygen is Needed in Combustion

Combustion is also known as burning. Combustion is a fast chemical reaction between a substance and oxygen.
Carbon dioxide

Oxygen

Heat Energy
Substance (fuels) Light Energy

Three conditions for combustion to take place

Enough amount of heat

Products of combustion
Carbon
Examples of carbon: charcoal, coal, firewood. Products of carbon combustion: Carbon dioxide Heat energy Light energy

Hydrocarbon
Examples of hydrocarbon: kerosene, diesel, petrol. Products of hydrocarbon combustion: Carbon dioxide Heat energy Light energy Water

a) b) c)

a) b) c) d)

5.5 Air Pollution

Air pollution occurs when substances that are harmful to us and the environment are present in the air. Table below shows some examples of air pollutants, their sources and effects on human beings and the environment.

Air pollutant
Dust, soot, smoke

Source
Forest fires, burning of rubbish Burning of petrol, industrial activities Cigarette smoking, smoke from motor vehicles Burning of fossils fuels/rubbish Aerosol sprays, electronic factories Burning of leaded petrol Acid rain

Effect
Breathing difficulties

Sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide

Carbon monoxide Carbon dioxide Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) Lead (plumbum)

Brain damage, death Greenhouse effect Damage to ozone layer, skin cancer, eye diseases Mental retardation in children