COMPOSITION OF AIR

What is air made up of?

Why is air a mixture?

- The composition of air is not fixed.
- It changes according to the time of the day, the
conditions of environment and humans activities.
- For example,
o The air in a place which is crowded with
people has a higher content of a carbon
dioxide than the air in a less crowded place.
o The air in a jungle has a higher content of
oxygen than the air in an industrial area.
o The content of water vapour in the air is
higher in the morning than in the afternoon.
- The constituents of air are not chemically combined.
The constituent gases retain their individual
properties.
- Nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide can be
extracted by the physical means of cooling and
stored as liquefied gas in gas tanks.

PROPERTIES OF OXYGEN AND CARBON DIOXIDE

-

Oxygen and carbon dioxide are two of most important gases in the air.
Table below shows the properties of oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Properties
Solubility in water
Solubility in sodium hydroxide
solution
Solubility in alkaline pyrogallol
solution
Density
Colour, smell and taste

Oxygen
Slightly soluble
Not soluble

Carbon dioxide
Slightly soluble
Very soluble

Very soluble

Not soluble

Test with damp litmus paper

Denser than air

Colourless
Odourless
Tasteless
No effect (neutral)

Test with bicarbonate indicator

No effect (neutral)

Test with a glowing wooden splinter

Lights up the glowing wooden

splinter showing the oxygen
supports combustion

Test with a lighted wooden splinter

The lighted wooden splinter burns

brighter showing that oxygen
supports combustion

Test with lime water

No change

Denser than air

Colourless
Odourless
Tastes a bit sour
The colour of damp blue litmus
paper changes to red (acidic)
The red bicarbonate indicator
changes to yellow (acidic)
The glowing wooden splinter
extinguishes showing that carbon
dioxide does not support
combustion
The flame of the lighted wooden
splinter extinguishes showing that
carbon dioxide does not support
combustion
Turns lime water cloudy

Comparison of properties of oxygen and carbon dioxide:

OXYGEN IS NEEDED IN RESPIRATION

-

The process whereby our body obtains energy from

food is called respirations.
Respirations takes place in the cells of our body.
Oxygen is needed for respiration to take place.
The products of respirations are energy, carbon dioxide
and water vapour.
Glucose + Oxygen Water + Carbon dioxide

OXYGEN IS NEEDED FOR COMBUSTION (BURNING)

-

When a substance burns, combustion is said to be taking place.

Burning is the process of chemically combining substances with oxygen. This process gives out het
and light.
Fuel is a substance which can burn. For example :
o Carbon like charcoal, coal and firewood
o Hydrocarbon like diesel, kerosene, gasoline (petrol), candle and natural gas
o Alcohol
Burning can only take place in the presence of fuel, oxygen and heat.
Different fuels gives out different product of combustion:
Carbon
Hydrocarbon
Alcohol
Hydrogen

Carbon + Oxygen Carbon dioxide +Heat + Light

Hydrocarbon + Oxygen Carbon dioxide + Water + Heat + Light
Alcohol + Oxygen Carbon dioxide + Water + Heat + Light
Hydrogen + Oxygen Water + Heat + Light

THE EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTION

IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THE AIR CLEAN

We can help to keep the air clean by doing the following :

o Using public transport.
o Using unleaded fuel.
o Enforcing anti-air pollution laws.
o Planting trees around the house.
Habits to keep the air clean :
o Do not smoke.
o Turn off the car engine while waiting for someone.
o Cycle or walk for short distance trips.
o Practice car-pooling.