Air is made up of nitrogen. Revolutionary change in air composition

The air that makes up the earth's atmosphere is a mixture of gases. Dry atmospheric air contains: oxygen 20.95%, nitrogen 78.09%, carbon dioxide 0.03%. In addition, atmospheric air contains argon, helium, neon, krypton, hydrogen, xenon and other gases. Ozone, nitric oxide, iodine, methane, and water vapor are present in small amounts in the atmospheric air.

In addition to the constant components of the atmosphere, it contains a variety of pollution introduced into the atmosphere by human production activities.

1. An important component of atmospheric air is oxygen , the amount of which in the earth's atmosphere is 1.18 × 10 15 tons. A constant oxygen content is maintained due to continuous processes of its exchange in nature. On the one hand, oxygen is consumed during the respiration of humans and animals, is spent on maintaining the processes of combustion and oxidation, on the other hand, it enters the atmosphere due to the processes of plant photosynthesis. Land plants and phytoplankton of the oceans fully restore the natural loss of oxygen. With a drop in the partial pressure of oxygen, the phenomena of oxygen starvation can develop, which is observed when ascending to a height. The critical level is the partial pressure of oxygen below 110 mm Hg. Art. Reducing the partial pressure of oxygen to 50-60 mm Hg. Art. usually incompatible with life. Under the influence of short-wave UV radiation with a wavelength of less than 200 nm, oxygen molecules dissociate to form atomic oxygen. The newly formed oxygen atoms are added to the neutral formula of oxygen, forming ozone . Simultaneously with the formation of ozone, its decay occurs. The general biological significance of ozone is great: it absorbs short-wave UV radiation, which has a detrimental effect on biological objects. At the same time, ozone absorbs infrared radiation coming from the Earth, and thus prevents excessive cooling of its surface. Ozone concentrations are unevenly distributed along the height. Its greatest amount is noted at the level of 20-30 km from the Earth's surface.

2. Nitrogen in terms of quantitative content, it is the most significant component of atmospheric air; it belongs to inert gases. Life is impossible in a nitrogen atmosphere. Air nitrogen is assimilated by certain types of soil bacteria (nitrogen-fixing bacteria), as well as by blue-green algae; under the influence of electrical discharges, it turns into nitrogen oxides, which, falling out with atmospheric precipitation, enrich the soil with salts of nitrous and nitric acids. Under the influence of soil bacteria, nitrous acid salts are converted into nitric acid salts, which in turn are absorbed by plants and serve for protein synthesis. Along with the assimilation of nitrogen in nature, it is released into the atmosphere. Free nitrogen is formed during the combustion of wood, coal, oil; a small amount of it is formed during the decomposition of organic compounds. Thus, in nature there is a continuous circulation, as a result of which the nitrogen of the atmosphere is converted into organic compounds, restored and enters the atmosphere, then is again bound by biological objects.

Nitrogen is necessary as an oxygen diluent, since breathing pure oxygen leads to irreversible changes in the body.

However, an increased content of nitrogen in the inhaled air contributes to the onset of hypoxia due to a decrease in the partial pressure of oxygen. With an increase in the nitrogen content in the air to 93%, death occurs.

In addition to nitrogen, the inert gases of air include argon, neon, helium, krypton and xenon. Chemically, these gases are inert, they dissolve in body fluids depending on the partial pressure, the absolute amount of these gases in the blood and tissues of the body is negligible.

3. An important component of atmospheric air is carbon dioxide (carbon dioxide, carbonic acid). In nature, carbon dioxide is in free and bound states in the amount of 146 billion tons, of which only 1.8% of its total amount is contained in atmospheric air. Most of it (up to 70%) is in a dissolved state in the water of the seas and oceans. Some mineral compounds, limestones and dolomites contain about 22% of the total amount of dioxide and carbon. The rest of the amount falls on the animal and plant world, coal, oil and humus.

Under natural conditions, there are continuous processes of release and absorption of carbon dioxide. It is released into the atmosphere due to the respiration of humans and animals, the processes of combustion, decay and fermentation, during the industrial roasting of limestones and dolomites, etc. At the same time, processes of assimilation of carbon dioxide are going on in nature, which is absorbed by plants in the process of photosynthesis.

Carbon dioxide plays an important role in the life of animals and humans, being a physiological causative agent of the respiratory center.

When high concentrations of carbon dioxide are inhaled, the redox processes in the body are disturbed. With an increase in its content in the inhaled air up to 4%, headaches, tinnitus, palpitations, and an excited state are noted; at 8% death occurs.

From a hygienic point of view, the content of carbon dioxide is an important indicator by which the degree of air purity in residential and public buildings is judged. The accumulation of large amounts of it in indoor air indicates sanitary problems (crowding, poor ventilation).

Under normal conditions, with natural ventilation of the premises and infiltration of outdoor air through the pores of building materials, the content of carbon dioxide in the air of residential premises does not exceed 0.2%. With an increase in its concentration in the room, a deterioration in the well-being of a person, a decrease in working capacity, may be noted. This is explained by the fact that, simultaneously with an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the air of residential and public buildings, other properties of the air deteriorate: its temperature and humidity increase, gaseous products of human vital activity appear, the so-called anthropotoxins (mercaptan, indole, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia).

With an increase in the content of CO 2 in the air and the deterioration of meteorological conditions in residential and public buildings, the ionization regime of the air changes (an increase in the number of heavy and a decrease in the number of light ions), which is explained by the absorption of light ions during breathing and contact with the skin, as well as the intake of heavy ions with exhaled air.

The maximum allowable concentration of carbon dioxide in the air of medical institutions should be considered 0.07%, in the air of residential and public buildings - 0.1%. The latter value is taken as a calculated one when determining the efficiency of ventilation in residential and public buildings.

4. In addition to the main components, atmospheric air contains gases released as a result of natural processes occurring on the surface of the Earth and in the atmosphere.

Hydrogen contained in the air in an amount of 0.00005%. It is formed in the high layers of the atmosphere due to the photochemical decomposition of water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen. Hydrogen does not support respiration, in a free state it is not absorbed and is not released by biological objects. In addition to hydrogen, atmospheric air contains a small amount of methane; usually the concentration of methane in the air does not exceed 0.00022%. Methane is released during anaerobic decay of organic compounds. As an integral part, it is part of natural gas and gas from oil wells. When inhaling air containing methane in high concentrations, death from asphyxia is possible.

As a decomposition product of organic substances, small amounts of ammonia. Its concentrations depend on the degree of contamination of the area with sewage and organic emissions. In winter, due to the slowdown in the processes of decay, the concentration of ammonia is somewhat lower than in summer. During anaerobic processes of decomposition of sulfur-containing organic substances, the formation of hydrogen sulfide, which, in low concentrations, gives the air an unpleasant odor. In atmospheric air, iodine and hydrogen peroxide can be found in small concentrations. Iodine enters the atmospheric air due to the presence of the smallest droplets of sea water and seaweed. Due to the interaction of UV rays with air molecules, hydrogen peroxide; together with ozone, it contributes to the oxidation of organic substances in the atmosphere.

In the atmospheric air are suspended matter, which are represented by dust of natural and artificial origin. The composition of natural dust includes cosmic, volcanic, ground, sea dust and dust generated during forest fires.

Natural processes play an important role in the release of the atmosphere from suspended solids. self-cleaning, among which the dilution of pollution by convection air currents near the Earth's surface is of significant importance. An essential element of self-purification of the atmosphere is the precipitation of large particles of dust and soot from the air (sedimentation). As the altitude increases, the amount of dust decreases; at a height of 7 - 8 km from the Earth's surface, there is no dust of terrestrial origin. Significant Precipitation plays a role in self-cleaning processes, increasing the amount of settled soot and dust. The dust content in the atmospheric air is affected by meteorological conditions and aerosol dispersion. Coarse dust with a particle diameter of more than 10 microns falls out quickly, fine dust with a particle diameter of less than 0.1 microns practically does not fall out and is in suspension.

The composition of the earth. Air

Air is a mechanical mixture of various gases that make up the Earth's atmosphere. Air is essential for the respiration of living organisms and is widely used in industry.

The fact that air is a mixture, and not a homogeneous substance, was proved during the experiments of the Scottish scientist Joseph Black. During one of them, the scientist discovered that when white magnesia (magnesium carbonate) is heated, “bound air”, that is, carbon dioxide, is released, and burnt magnesia (magnesium oxide) is formed. In contrast, when limestone is fired, “bound air” is removed. Based on these experiments, the scientist concluded that the difference between carbonic and caustic alkalis is that the former includes carbon dioxide, which is one of the components of air. Today we know that in addition to carbon dioxide, the composition of the earth's air includes:

The ratio of gases in the earth's atmosphere indicated in the table is typical for its lower layers, up to a height of 120 km. In these areas lies a well-mixed, homogeneous region, called the homosphere. Above the homosphere lies the heterosphere, which is characterized by the decomposition of gas molecules into atoms and ions. The regions are separated from each other by a turbopause.

The chemical reaction in which, under the influence of solar and cosmic radiation, molecules decompose into atoms, is called photodissociation. During the decay of molecular oxygen, atomic oxygen is formed, which is the main gas of the atmosphere at altitudes above 200 km. At altitudes above 1200 km, hydrogen and helium, which are the lightest of the gases, begin to predominate.

Since the bulk of the air is concentrated in the 3 lower atmospheric layers, changes in the air composition at altitudes above 100 km do not have a noticeable effect on the overall composition of the atmosphere.

Nitrogen is the most common gas, accounting for more than three-quarters of the earth's air volume. Modern nitrogen was formed by the oxidation of the early ammonia-hydrogen atmosphere with molecular oxygen, which is formed during photosynthesis. Currently, a small amount of nitrogen enters the atmosphere as a result of denitrification - the process of reduction of nitrates to nitrites, followed by the formation of gaseous oxides and molecular nitrogen, which is produced by anaerobic prokaryotes. Some nitrogen enters the atmosphere during volcanic eruptions.

In the upper atmosphere, when exposed to electrical discharges with the participation of ozone, molecular nitrogen is oxidized to nitrogen monoxide:

N 2 + O 2 → 2NO

Under normal conditions, the monoxide immediately reacts with oxygen to form nitrous oxide:

2NO + O 2 → 2N 2 O

Nitrogen is the most important chemical element in the earth's atmosphere. Nitrogen is part of proteins, provides mineral nutrition to plants. It determines the rate of biochemical reactions, plays the role of an oxygen diluent.

Oxygen is the second most abundant gas in the Earth's atmosphere. The formation of this gas is associated with the photosynthetic activity of plants and bacteria. And the more diverse and numerous photosynthetic organisms became, the more significant the process of oxygen content in the atmosphere became. A small amount of heavy oxygen is released during degassing of the mantle.

In the upper layers of the troposphere and stratosphere, under the influence of ultraviolet solar radiation (we denote it as hν), ozone is formed:

O 2 + hν → 2O

As a result of the action of the same ultraviolet radiation, ozone decays:

O 3 + hν → O 2 + O

O 3 + O → 2O 2

As a result of the first reaction, atomic oxygen is formed, as a result of the second - molecular oxygen. All 4 reactions are called the Chapman mechanism, after the British scientist Sidney Chapman who discovered them in 1930.

Oxygen is used for the respiration of living organisms. With its help, the processes of oxidation and combustion occur.

Ozone serves to protect living organisms from ultraviolet radiation, which causes irreversible mutations. The highest concentration of ozone is observed in the lower stratosphere within the so-called. ozone layer or ozone screen lying at altitudes of 22-25 km. The ozone content is small: at normal pressure, all the ozone of the earth's atmosphere would occupy a layer only 2.91 mm thick.

The formation of the third most common gas in the atmosphere, argon, as well as neon, helium, krypton and xenon, is associated with volcanic eruptions and the decay of radioactive elements.

In particular, helium is a product of the radioactive decay of uranium, thorium and radium: 238 U → 234 Th + α, 230 Th → 226 Ra + 4 He, 226 Ra → 222 Rn + α (in these reactions, the α-particle is a helium nucleus, which in in the process of energy loss captures electrons and becomes 4 He).

Argon is formed during the decay of the radioactive isotope of potassium: 40 K → 40 Ar + γ.

Neon escapes from igneous rocks.

Krypton is formed as the end product of the decay of uranium (235 U and 238 U) and thorium Th.

The bulk of atmospheric krypton was formed in the early stages of the Earth's evolution as a result of the decay of transuranium elements with a phenomenally short half-life or came from space, the content of krypton in which is ten million times higher than on Earth.

Xenon is the result of the fission of uranium, but most of this gas is left over from the early stages of the Earth's formation, from the primary atmosphere.

Carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere as a result of volcanic eruptions and in the process of decomposition of organic matter. Its content in the atmosphere of the middle latitudes of the Earth varies greatly depending on the seasons of the year: in winter, the amount of CO 2 increases, and in summer it decreases. This fluctuation is connected with the activity of plants that use carbon dioxide in the process of photosynthesis.

Hydrogen is formed as a result of the decomposition of water by solar radiation. But, being the lightest of the gases that make up the atmosphere, it constantly escapes into outer space, and therefore its content in the atmosphere is very small.

Water vapor is the result of the evaporation of water from the surface of lakes, rivers, seas and land.

The concentration of the main gases in the lower layers of the atmosphere, with the exception of water vapor and carbon dioxide, is constant. In small quantities, the atmosphere contains sulfur oxide SO 2, ammonia NH 3, carbon monoxide CO, ozone O 3, hydrogen chloride HCl, hydrogen fluoride HF, nitrogen monoxide NO, hydrocarbons, mercury vapor Hg, iodine I 2 and many others. In the lower atmospheric layer of the troposphere, there is constantly a large amount of suspended solid and liquid particles.

Sources of particulate matter in the Earth's atmosphere are volcanic eruptions, plant pollen, microorganisms, and, more recently, human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels in manufacturing processes. The smallest particles of dust, which are the nuclei of condensation, are the causes of the formation of fogs and clouds. Without solid particles constantly present in the atmosphere, precipitation would not fall on the Earth.

You can't touch it, you can't see it, and the main thing we owe him is life. Of course, this is the air that occupied not the last place in the folklore of every nation. How the people of antiquity imagined it, and what it really is - I will write about this below.

The gases that make up air

Natural mixture of gases called air. Its necessity and importance for the living can hardly be underestimated - it plays an important role in oxidative processes, which are accompanied by the release of energy necessary for all living things. Through experiments, scientists were able to determine its exact composition, but the main thing that needs to be understood is it is not a homogeneous substance, but a gas mixture. About 99% of the composition is a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen, and in general air forms the atmosphere our planet. So, the mixture consists of the following gases:

• methane;
• krypton;
• helium;
• xenon;
• hydrogen;
• neon;
• carbon dioxide;
• oxygen;
• nitrogen;
• argon.

It should be noted that composition is not constant and can vary significantly from site to site. For example, large cities are characterized by a high content of carbon dioxide. In the mountains will be observed reduced oxygen level, since this gas is heavier than nitrogen, and as it ascends, its density will decrease. Science Says Composition May Differ in Different Parts of the Planet 1% to 4% for each of the gases.

In addition to the percentage of gases, air is characterized by the following parameters:

• humidity;
• temperature;
• pressure.

Air is constantly in motion, forming vertical flows. Horizontal - winds that depend on certain natural conditions, therefore, they can have different characteristics of speed, strength and direction.

Air in folklore

Legends of every nation endow the air with some "living" qualities. As a rule, the spirits of this element were elusive and invisible creatures. According to legend, they inhabited mountain tops or clouds, and differed in predisposition to the person. They were the ones who thought created snowflakes and collected clouds into the clouds, flying across the sky on the winds.

The Egyptians considered air a symbol of life and the Indians believed that exhalation of Brahma - life, and inhalation, respectively - death. As for the Slavs, the air (wind) occupied almost a central place in the legends of this people. He could hear and sometimes even fulfill small requests. However, he was not always kind, sometimes speaking on the side of the forces of evil. in the form of an evil and unpredictable wanderer.

Air is an essential condition for the life of the overwhelming number of organisms on our planet.

A person can live for a month without food. Three days without water. Without air - just a few minutes.

Research history

Not everyone knows that the main component of our life is an extremely heterogeneous substance. Air is a mixture of gases. Which ones?

For a long time it was believed that air is a single substance, not a mixture of gases. The heterogeneity hypothesis appeared in the scientific works of many scientists at different times. But no one has gone further than theoretical conjectures. Only in the eighteenth century, the Scottish chemist Joseph Black experimentally proved that the gas composition of air is not uniform. The discovery was made in the course of regular experiments.

Modern scientists have proven that air is a mixture of gases, consisting of ten basic elements.

The composition differs depending on the place of concentration. Determination of the composition of the air occurs constantly. The health of the people depends on it. Air is a mixture of what gases?

At higher elevations (especially in the mountains) there is a low oxygen content. This concentration is called "rarefied air". In forests, on the contrary, the oxygen content is maximum. In megacities, the content of carbon dioxide is increased. Determining the composition of the air is one of the most important responsibilities of environmental services.

Where can air be used?

• The compressed mass is used when pumping air under pressure. Installation up to ten bar is installed at any tire fitting station. Tires are inflated with air.
• Workers use jackhammers, pneumatic guns to quickly remove / install nuts and bolts. Such equipment is characterized by low weight and high efficiency.
• In industries using varnishes and paints, it is used to speed up the drying process.
• In car washes, the compressed air mass helps in quick drying of cars;
• Manufacturing plants use compressed air to clean tools from any kind of contamination. In this way, whole hangars can be cleaned of chips and sawdust.
• The petrochemical industry can no longer imagine itself without equipment for purging pipelines before the first start-up.
• In the production of oxides and acids.
• To increase the temperature of technological processes;
• Extracted from the air;

Why do living beings need air?

The main task of air, or rather, one of the main components - oxygen - is to penetrate into cells, thereby promoting oxidation processes. Thanks to this, the body receives the most important energy for life.

Air enters the body through the lungs, after which it is distributed throughout the body through the circulatory system.

Air is a mixture of what gases? Let's consider them in more detail.

Nitrogen

Air is a mixture of gases, the first of which is nitrogen. The seventh element of the periodic system of Dmitri Mendeleev. The Scottish chemist Daniel Rutherford in 1772 is considered the discoverer.

It is part of the proteins and nucleic acids of the human body. Although its proportion in cells is small - no more than three percent, gas is essential for normal life.

In the composition of the air, its content is more than seventy-eight percent.

Under normal conditions, it is colorless and odorless. Does not enter into compounds with other chemical elements.

The largest amount of nitrogen is used in the chemical industry, primarily in the manufacture of fertilizers.

Nitrogen is used in the medical industry, in the production of dyes,

In cosmetology, gas is used to treat acne, scars, warts, and the body's thermoregulation system.

With the use of nitrogen, ammonia is synthesized, nitric acid is produced.

In the chemical industry, oxygen is used to oxidize hydrocarbons into alcohols, acids, aldehydes, and to produce nitric acid.

Fishing industry - oxygenation of reservoirs.

But the most important gas is for living beings. With the help of oxygen, the body can utilize (oxidize) the necessary proteins, fats and carbohydrates, turning them into the necessary energy.

Argon

The gas that is part of the air is in third place in importance - argon. The content does not exceed one percent. It is an inert gas without color, taste and smell. The eighteenth element of the periodic system.

The first mention is attributed to an English chemist in 1785. And Lord Laray and William Ramsay received Nobel Prizes for proving the existence of gas and experiments with it.

Areas of application of argon:

• incandescent lamps;
• filling the space between the panes in plastic windows;
• protective environment during welding;
• fire extinguishing agent;
• for air purification;
• chemical synthesis.

It doesn't do much good for the human body. At high concentrations of gas leads to asphyxiation.

Cylinders with argon gray or black.

The remaining seven elements make up 0.03% in air.

Carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide in air is colorless and odorless.

It is formed as a result of decay or combustion of organic materials, it is released during breathing and the operation of cars and other vehicles.

In the human body, it is formed in tissues due to vital processes and is transferred through the venous system to the lungs.

It has a positive meaning, because under load, it expands the capillaries, which provides the possibility of greater transport of substances. Positive effect on the myocardium. It helps to increase the frequency and strength of the load. Used in the correction of hypoxia. Participates in the regulation of respiration.

In industry, carbon dioxide is obtained from combustion products, as a by-product of chemical processes or in the separation of air.

The application is extremely wide:

• preservative in the food industry;
• saturation of drinks;
• fire extinguishers and fire extinguishing systems;
• feeding aquarium plants;
• protective environment during welding;
• use in cartridges for gas weapons;
• coolant.

Neon

Air is a mixture of gases, the fifth of which is neon. It was opened much later - in 1898. The name is translated from Greek as "new".

A monatomic gas that is colorless and odorless.

It has high electrical conductivity. It has a complete electron shell. Inert.

Gas is obtained by separation of air.

Application:

• Inert environment in industry;
• Refrigerant in cryogenic installations;
• Filler for gas discharge lamps. Has found wide application thanks to advertising. Most of the colored signs are made with neon. When an electric discharge is passed, the lamps give a bright colored glow.
• Signal lights at beacons and airfields. Worked well in heavy fog.
• Air mixture element for people working with high pressure.

Helium

Helium is a monatomic gas, colorless and odorless.

Application:

• Like neon, when an electric discharge is passed through, it gives a bright light.
• In industry - to remove impurities from steel during smelting;
• Coolant.
• Filling airships and balloons;
• Partially in breathing mixes for deep dives.
• Coolant in nuclear reactors.
• The main children's joy is flying balloons.

For living organisms, it is of no particular benefit. In high concentrations, it can cause poisoning.

Methane

Air is a mixture of gases, the seventh of which is methane. The gas is colorless and odorless. Explosive in high concentrations. Therefore, for indication, odorants are added to it.

It is used most often as a fuel and raw material in organic synthesis.

Home stoves, boilers, gas water heaters work mainly on methane.

The product of the vital activity of microorganisms.

Krypton

Krypton is an inert monatomic gas, colorless and odorless.

Application:

• in the production of lasers;
• propellant oxidizer;
• filling incandescent lamps.

The effect on the human body has been studied little. Applications for deep-sea diving are being studied.

Hydrogen

Hydrogen is a colorless combustible gas.

Application:

• Chemical industry - production of ammonia, soap, plastics.
• Filling of spherical shells in meteorology.
• Rocket fuel.
• Cooling of electrical generators.

Xenon

Xenon is a monatomic colorless gas.

Application:

• filling incandescent lamps;
• in spacecraft engines;
• as an anesthetic.

Harmless to the human body. Doesn't offer much benefit.

Young children often ask their parents what air is and what it usually consists of. But not every adult can answer correctly. Of course, everyone studied the structure of air at school in nature studies, but over the years this knowledge could be forgotten. Let's try to fill them up.

What is Air?

Air is a unique "substance". You can't see it, touch it, it's tasteless. That is why it is so difficult to give a clear definition of what it is. Usually they just say - air is what we breathe. It is all around us, although we do not notice it at all. You can feel it only when a strong wind blows or an unpleasant smell appears.

What happens if the air disappears? Without it, not a single living organism can live and work, which means that all people and animals will die. It is not bypassed for the process of respiration. What matters is how clean and wholesome the air everyone breathes is.

Where can you find fresh air?

The most useful air is located:

• In forests, especially pine.
• In the mountains.
• Near the sea.

The air in these places has a pleasant aroma and has beneficial properties for the body. This explains why children's health camps and various sanatoriums are located near forests, in the mountains or on the sea coast.

You can enjoy fresh air only away from the city. For this reason, many people buy summer cottages outside the village. Some move to a temporary or permanent place of residence in the village, build houses there. This is especially true for families with small children. People are leaving because the air in the city is heavily polluted.

Fresh air pollution problem

In the modern world, the problem of environmental pollution is especially relevant. The work of modern factories, enterprises, nuclear power plants, cars has a negative impact on nature. They emit harmful substances into the atmosphere that pollute the atmosphere. Therefore, very often people in urban areas experience a lack of fresh air, which is very dangerous.

A serious problem is heavy air inside a poorly ventilated room, especially if there are computers and other equipment in it. Being present in such a place, a person can begin to suffocate from a lack of air, he has pain in his head, weakness occurs.

According to statistics compiled by the World Health Organization, about 7 million human deaths per year are associated with the absorption of polluted outdoor and indoor air.

Harmful air is considered one of the main causes of such a terrible disease as cancer. So say organizations involved in the study of cancer.

Therefore, it is necessary to take preventive measures.

How to get fresh air?

A person will be healthy if he can breathe fresh air every day. If it is not possible to move out of town due to important work, lack of money, or for other reasons, then it is necessary to look for a way out of the situation on the spot. In order for the body to receive the necessary norm of fresh air, the following rules should be followed:

1. To be on the street more often, for example, to walk in the evenings in parks, gardens.
2. Go for a walk in the woods on weekends.
3. Constantly ventilate living and working areas.
4. Plant more green plants, especially in offices where there are computers.
5. It is advisable to visit resorts located on the sea or in the mountains once a year.

What gases does air consist of?

Every day, every second, people breathe in and out, completely without thinking about the air. People do not react to him in any way, despite the fact that he surrounds them everywhere. Despite its weightlessness and invisibility to the human eye, the air has a rather complex structure. It includes the interrelationship of several gases:

• Nitrogen.
• Oxygen.
• Argon.
• Carbon dioxide.
• Neon.
• Methane.
• Helium.
• Krypton.
• Hydrogen.
• Xenon.

The main part of the air is nitrogen , the mass fraction of which is 78 percent. 21 percent of the total is oxygen, the most essential gas for human life. The remaining percentages are occupied by other gases and water vapor, from which clouds are formed.

The question may arise, why is there so little oxygen, just a little more than 20%? This gas is reactive. Therefore, with an increase in its share in the atmosphere, the likelihood of fires in the world will increase significantly.

What is the air we breathe made of?

The two main gases that make up the basis of the air we breathe every day are:

• Oxygen.
• Carbon dioxide.

We inhale oxygen, we exhale carbon dioxide. Every student knows this information. But where does oxygen come from? The main source of oxygen production is green plants. They are also consumers of carbon dioxide.

The world is interesting. In all ongoing life processes, the rule of maintaining balance is observed. If something has gone from somewhere, then something has come somewhere. So it is with air. Green spaces produce the oxygen that humanity needs to breathe. Humans take in oxygen and give off carbon dioxide, which in turn is used by plants. Thanks to this system of interaction, life exists on planet Earth.

Knowing what the air we breathe consists of, and how much it is polluted in modern times, it is necessary to protect the flora of the planet and do everything possible to increase the representatives of green plants.

Video about the composition of air