Air and the Atmosphere

Air and the atmosphere is a mixture of gases. Air consists of 21% of oxygen, 0.03% of carbon dioxide, 78% of nitrogen and other miscellaneous things.

Air also consists of inert gases, dust particles and water vapours. The composition of air varies from place to place and with altitude. It also changes from time to time. Today's topic is for chemistry class 6 icsc.

Nitrogen

It constitutes about 78% of air. It helps in the synthesis of food by the plants. The nitrogenous bacteria present in the roots of leguminous plants such as peas, groundnuts etc convert the atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogenous compounds which are used by the plants for the synthesis of proteins.Human beings and plants consume these plants to get proteins which help in their growth. It plays an important role in the growth and development of plants. Nitrogen also helps in controlling the rate of combustion. It doesn't support the process of combustion. It is also used in the preparation of fertilizers. Liquid nitrogen helps in the process of food preservation.

Carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide gas is present in a very small amount in the air i.e 0.03%.It is released by human beings and animals during respiration.This gas is also very important for the maintenance of life on the earth. This gas is used by the plants for the formation of food by the process of photosynthesis.

Sunlight

Carbon dioxide + Water ➡ Food + Oxygen

Carbon dioxide gas is also used to extinguish fire. Solid carbon dioxide is called dry ice. CO2 is used in the preparation of aerated and fizzy drinks. CO2 helps in keeping the earth's atmosphere warm by trapping sunlight. Hence it regulates the temperature of the earth.

Oxygen

Air consists of 21% of oxygen. It plays a crucial role in the process of respiration. Human beings and animals inhale (takes in) oxygen and exhale (gives out) carbon dioxide. Aquatic animals can't inhale dry oxygen present in the air so they use dissolved oxygen present in the water for breathing. Oxygen supports the process of burning or combustion.

Water Vapours

Water from the water bodies such as lakes, rivers and oceans evaporates to form water vapours.These water vapours rise up and form clouds. When they cool down they fall back on the earth to form water droplets and fall down in the form of rain, snow or hail. In this way they regulate the water cycle. These water vapours are also produced during the process of boiling. They change into water droplets when they touch any cold surface.

Dust particles

The level of dust particles is different in different places . It also varies with time. They also help in the formation of clouds.These dust particles join with the water droplets to form clouds.These dust particles help in keeping the atmosphere of the earth cool by reflecting back the heat of the sun. Excess dust particles in the air may cause respiratory problems such as asthma.

Inert gases

These are those gases which are present in a very small amount in the air. For example - Helium, Argon, Neon, Krypton, Radon and Xenon.

Argon is used in electricity bulbs.

Helium is used in weather balloons.

Neon is used in brake lights.

Balance of Oxygen in the air

Human beings and animals breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide . This carbon dioxide is used by plants in the process of photosynthesis and in turn they give out oxygen and vice-versa.So the oxygen used up in the process of respiration or breathing by human beings and animals is returned to the atmosphere by the process of photosynthesis.In this way the balance of oxygen is maintained in the atmosphere.

Balance of carbon dioxide in the air

The carbon dioxide released by human beings and animals is taken by plants for the process of photosynthesis. So photosynthesis is the only process through which carbon dioxide present in the air is used up.

Increased level of CO2 in the air causes global warming as carbon dioxide has the ability of trapping the sunlight. There are many reasons that lead to an increase in the level of carbon dioxide in the air. These are -

1.increase in population

2.cutting of trees

3.release of carbon dioxide from vehicles

4.burning of fuels

Hope this article Air and the atmosphere for chemistry of class 6 would be helpful to you. You may also practice this topic using Worksheets for Science. Please comment if you want article on any topic.

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