Chapter 5

THE AIR AROUND US

 What is air made up of?
 Air is a mixture of The average
nitrogen, oxygen, The percentage
carbon dioxide and composition of its
inert gases. of air components
 Air is odorless and by volume
colorless Nitrogen 78 %
 The movement of air Oxygen 21 %
is called wind.
 The composition of Carbon
0.03 %
air and the average dioxide
percentage of its Inert gases
0.97 %
components; and others
Composition of air

carbon dioxide
nitrogen, 78% 0.03%

inert gases, 1%
oksigen, 21%
 Activity 1
To show the percentage of oxygen in air
Procedure
 The space above the water level in gas jar
containing air is divided into 5 equal parts as
shown.
 A lighted candle was placed inside the gas jar

Observation
 The flame of candle goes out after a little
while.
 The water level rises to level marked ‘1’.
 Activity 1
To show the percentage of oxygen in air

Conclusion
 The burning of candle is supported by oxygen. The
flame of the candle goes out when all the oxygen has
been used up. The water level rises 1/5 of the air
space in the gas jar. This shows that the percentage of
oxygen in air is about 20%
 Activity 2
To show that air contains water vapour
Procedure
 The external surface of the beaker was wiped with dry
cloth.
 Some ice cubes were added into the beaker as shown.
 The beaker was left on the table for 5 minutes.
Observation
 Droplets of liquid are found on the external surface of
the beaker.
 When the liquid droplets are tested with a piece of blue
cobalt chloride paper, the blue cobalt chloride paper
turns from blue to pink.
 This shows that the liquid droplets are water.
 Activity 2
To show that air contains water vapour

Conclusion
 Water vapor in the air condenses on the cold
external surface of the beaker.
 Air contains water vapor
 Activity 3
To show that air contains microorganism
Procedure
 Two petri dishes containing sterilized nutrient agar
prepared.
 One of the petri dishes was sealed with cellophane tape.
 The other petri dishes was exposed to the air for 3 hours
before being covered and sealed.
 The nutrient agar in the dishes were observed with
magnifying glass after 3 days
 Activity 3
To show that air contains microorganism
Observation
 There is no colony of microorganisms on the
sterilized nutrient agar that was not exposed to
the air.
 There is are many colony of microorganisms on
the sterilized nutrient agar that was exposed to
the air for 3 hour.
Conclusion
 Air contains microorganisms.
 Activity 4
To show that air contains dust
Procedure
 Four strips of cellophane tape with the sticky surface
facing upwards as shown were prepared.
 The glass slide were placed in four different places.
 The cellophane tape was observed after 2 hours by
using magnifying glass.
Observation
 Location – In a covered petri dish – no dust seen
 Location – In the laboratory – a little dust
 Location – In the school field – dusty
 Location – Beside the road – very dusty
 Activity 4
To show that air contains dust

Conclusion
 Air contains dust.
 The amount of dust stuck to the cellophane tape
depends on the place where the sample was
taken.
 Composition of air
 Oxygen is needed for respiration.
 Carbon dioxide is needed by green plants for
photosynthesis.
 Inert gases are un-reactive.
 Inert gases consist of helium, argon, xenon,
neon, krypton and radon.
 Air also contains water vapour, microorganisms
and dust.
 The following activities will help you to
understand what is made up of.
 Why is air a mixture
 The composition of air is not fixed
 It changes according to the time of day, the
conditions of environment and humans’
activities.
 For example:
 The air in places crowded with people has higher
content of carbon dioxide than the air in less crowded
place.
 The air in jungle has higher content of oxygen than
the air in an industrial area.
 The content of water vapour in the air is higher in the
morning than in the evening.
 Test for Oxygen and Carbon
Dioxide
Oxygen
 A gas is confirmed oxygen if it rekindles a
glowing splint or makes splint burn brighter.
 This is because oxygen is the only gas that
supports combustion but does not burn.
Carbon Dioxide
 A gas is confirmed carbon dioxide if it turns lime-
water chalky.
 This is because carbon dioxide is the only gas
that can turn lime-water chalky.