CHAPTER 5

Content

Activity

The layer of air surrounding the Earth consists of a mixture of gases.

Air Other components Oxygen Dust Water Vapour

Gases

Nitrogen Carbon Dioxide

Inert Gases

Microorganisms

Gas Nitrogen Oxygen Carbon dioxide

Percentage of gas content 78% 21% 0.03%

Inert gases and others

0.97%
Nitrogen

Oxygen
Carbon dioxide Inert gases and others

An inactive gas. Colourless, no smell and no taste.

Necessary for respiration, burning, rusting, and decay.

Released during respiration, burning and decay. Absorbed by green plants during photosynthesis.

Example of inert gases are helium, argon, neon, xenon, radon and krypton. All these gases are non reactive.

When we leave a slice of bread out in the open for several days, what happens to the bread?

The bread will turn mouldy. The mould shows the presence of microorganisms in the air. In this case the fungi spores have settled and started growing on the bread.

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 Effect on moist blue litmus paper or moist red litmus paper Oxygen Slightly soluble Not soluble The splinter ignites Oxygen supports burning The splinter burns brighter 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 The splinter goes put Carbon dioxide does not support burning 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

5.3 Oxygen is needed in respiration

energy oxygen Food (sugar)
Cell respiration requires oxygen

Carbon dioxide

water

1. The process where our body obtains energy from food is called respiration . 2. During respiration , food in the form of sugar is oxidised by oxygen . 3. The products of respiration are energy , carbon dioxide , and water vapour . 4. Living things use the energy to carry out living processes such as breathing , moving and reproduction. 5. Carbon dioxide and water vapour are waste products that need to be removed from the body . 6. Living things obtain the oxygen needed for respiration through breathing . 7. During breathing , living things take in oxygen from the air and remove carbon dioxide and water vapour . 8. This explain s why the content of oxygen is more in inhaled air than in exhaled air.

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 for combustion

Light energy
Heat energy Combustion is a fast chemical reaction between a substance and oxygen . Oxygen supports combustion . Combustion will only take place under the following condition : The presence of oxygen The precence of fuel Enough amount of heat is present

What are the products of combustion ?

Carbon + oxygen
combustion

heat energy + light energy + carbon doixide

Hydrocarbon + oxygen

combustion

heat + energy

light + energy

carbon + water dioxide

Fuel
Conditions for combustion

5.5 Air pollution

Pollutants Dust Soot Smoke Lead Carbon dioxide Sulphur dioxide Nitrogen oxide Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) Effects Air become hazy Low visibility Breathing difficulties Reduction in the rate of photosynthesis Damage to the brain or kidney The temperature of the earth to rise To form acid rain Damage to the ozone layer

Hello human ! We can prevent and control air pollution consist of two strategies , namely enforcement of anti-pollution laws and managing pollutants

5.6 the importance of keeping the air clean

You should reduce short trips . Walk . Dispose of your garbage carefully

Do not smoke

Habits that keep the air clean

Do not practice open burning .
Send your motor vehicles for regular service to reduce output of polluting exhaust gases .

Turn off the engine of the car while waiting for someone .