The Air Around Us

Air

Air
Air

Composition of air

Importance of clean air

Air pollution

Carbon dioxide

Oxygen

Examples

Sources

Effect

Respiration

Combustion

The Air Around Us

1. Air is a mixture of a. Nitrogen 78% b. Oxygen - 21% c. Carbon dioxide 0.03% d. Inert gases - 0.97% e. Water vapour varies Nitrogen (78%) Oxygen (21%) Inert gases + other substances (0.97%) Carbon dioxide (0.03%)

f. Micro-organisms
g. Dust

2. The composition of air such as water vapour, microorganisms and dust are varies with time and places. For examples, after rain, there will be more water vapour compared to a hot dry day. 3. Air is a mixture since its components can be easily separated. For example, water vapour in the air can be separated by condensation.

Exercise
Fill in each blank to show the composition of air
Air

Gases

Other component

Why air is mixture?

a) The component of air can be easily separated b) Each component found in the air still maintains its original its properties c) By mixing nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, inert gases and water vapour together, air can be obtained d) The ratio of the components in the air changes according to the place and its surroundings

Why air is mixture?

Air is a mixture. This is because : a) The proportion of the constituent gases, namely, nitrogen, oxygen and carbon dioxide is not constant The contents by percentage of air vary from to place to place. For example, the air in urban areas contains more dust and carbon dioxide the components are mixed and vary in quantity not chemically combined

b) the constituents of air are not chemically combined the constituents 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 c) the properties of air are the same as the properties of its constituents oxygen in air can be used in processes such as respiration, burning, decaying and rusting carbon dioxide in air is used for the process of photosynthesis in green plants d) there is no heat change when there is a change in the percentage of the constituents of air in any particular area

The composition of air is not fixed. Explain how it chance according to

Situation Time

Description

Condition
Environment Activities

Composition of air
1. Oxygen

4 3 2 1 0

4 3

Flame goes off Water level goes up 1/5 of the gas jar.

After 15 minutes

2 1 0

Arrangement of apparatus a. When candle burns, it uses up all the oxygen in the gas jar. b. Water goes into the gas jar to fill up the space which was originally occupied by oxygen. c. This conclude that 1/5 of the air is made up of oxygen.
2 1 0

Composition of Air
2. Water Vapour

Boiling tube Ice

After 15 minutes Colourless liquid is water as it changes blue anhydrous cobalt chloride paper pink

Water

Arrangement of apparatus

a. The experiment shows that air contains water vapour.

b. Water vapour condenses and becomes water outside the boiling tube.
Water vapour ( gas )
condensation

Water ( liquid )

Composition of air
3. Microorganisms
After 3 days

Agar in good condition

At the beginning

At the end

Yellowish-white particles (colonies of bacteria)

Arrangement of apparatus

This experiment shows there are microorganisms in the air.

Composition of air
4. Dust particles

Dust on cellophane strip after it is left expose

Glass slide Arrangement of apparatus This experiment shows that air contain dust particles

Properties of Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide

Oxygen
Water level in the test tube goes up a little. Slightly soluble in water. Nothing happen.

Activity
Solubility in water
Test tube Beaker Water Reaction with sodium hydroxide Test tube Beaker Sodium hydroxide solution Gas

Carbon dioxide
Water level in the test tube goes up slightly higher. More soluble in water than oxygen. Level of solution in the test tube is high. Very soluble in sodium hydroxide.

Gas

Not soluble in sodium hydroxide.

Light up the glowing splint. Support combustion. Test for oxygen.

Effect on glowing wooden splinter. Gas glowing wooden splinter.

Put out the glowing splint. Does not support combustion.

Properties of Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide

Oxygen
The lighted splint burn more brightly. Support combustion

Activity
Effect on burning wooden splinter. Gas Burning wooden splinter.

Carbon dioxide
Put out burning splinter. Does not support combustion.

Nothing happens. Not soluble in sodium hydroxide.

Effect on moist litmus.

Blue litmus paper turns red. An acidic gas.

Gas Moist litmus paper

Properties of Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide

Oxygen
Nothing happens. No effect on lime water.

Activity
Effect on lime water.

Carbon dioxide
Lime water turns chalky Test for carbon dioxide.

Gas Lime water

Nothing happens. No effect on bicarbonate indicator.

Effect on bicarbonate indicator.

Gas Bicarbonate indicator

Bicarbonate indicator changes colour from red to yellow. An acidic gas

Properties of Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide

1. Oxygen and carbon dioxide are both colourless and odourless gas. 2. Oxygen is neutral and support combustion. 3. The presence of oxygen can be tested with a glowing wooden splinter. The glowing wooden splinter rekindles in the presence of oxygen. 4. Carbon dioxide is an acidic and does not support combustion. 5. The presence of carbon dioxide can be tested with lime water. Lime water will turn chalky or cloudy in the presence of carbon dioxide.

Comparison between respiration and breathing

Respiration
Chemical

Breathing

process Physical process of involving the oxidation of taking in oxygen from the food by oxygen in cell to air and releasing carbon release energy dioxide

Oxygen + glucose

respiration

energy + carbon dioxide + water vapour

Oxygen is Needed in Respiration

1. Products of respiration are energy, carbon dioxide and water vapour. 2. During respiration, living things use oxygen and give out carbon dioxide. 3. An equation in words to show Carbon respiration. dioxide Oxygen Energy Glucose Living cell

Nucleus

Water

respiration

Oxygen + glucose

energy + carbon dioxide + water vapour

Comparison between contents of inhaled and exhaled air.

Gas
Oxygen Carbon dioxide

Inhaled air (%)

21 0.03

Exhaled air (%)

16 4

Nitrogen
Water vapour

78
Less

78
More

The contents of Oxygen in inhaled and exhaled of humans.

P Inhaled air Gas jar Q exhaled air

Candle

Plasticine

Candle

Arrangement of apparatus

1. Candle flame burns longer in the gas jar P than gas jar Q.
2. This show inhaled air contains more oxygen than exhaled air.

Exhaled air contain more carbon dioxide

Tube X Breath in and out

Conical flask P

Conical flask Q

Lime water Arrangement of apparatus

1. When air is breathed in and out alternatively through the tube X for a few minutes, lime water in conical flask Q becomes cloudy faster than the lime water in conical flask P.
2. This shows that exhaled air contains more carbon dioxide than inhaled air.

Label diagram below

Compare the percentage of gas in inhaled and exhaled air in the spaces provided below.

Living things use oxygen during respiration

Germinating seeds Marker

Marker

W
Steel wool
Cotton wool (soaked in sodium hydroxide solution)

Y Steel wool
Cotton wool (soaked in sodium hydroxide solution) Control experiment Grasshopper Marker

Steel wool

Cotton wool (soaked in sodium hydroxide solution)

Arrangement of apparatus

Living things use oxygen during respiration

From the experiment: 1. After some time, the marker moves towards a. The germinating seeds in test tube W. b. The grasshopper in test tube X. 2. The marker in test tube Y does not move at all. 3. This shows the germinating seeds and grasshopper use up oxygen in the test tube and give out carbon dioxide which is absorbed by the sodium hydroxide solution. 4. This cause a decrease in the volume of air inside the test tube, causing the marker to move inwards.

5. Test tube Y is a control.

Oxygen is Needed for Combustion

1. Combustion: a. Commonly known as burning . b. A chemical reaction of substance with oxygen. c. Give out heat and light. d. Take place when oxygen, fuel and heat present. Fuel The three conditions to combustion. Heat Oxygen

2. Oxygen is required in the burning of carbon and hydrocarbon. a. Carbon + oxygen carbon dioxide + heat + light. b. Hydrocarbon + oxygen carbon dioxide + water + heat + light. 3. Examples of carbon are charcoal and coal. 4. Example of hydrocarbon are kerosene, petrol, diesel, petroleum gas and candles.

The diagram shows the three conditions to combustion. Fill the space provided with the required conditions.

The three conditions to combustion. What is combustion?

Combustion of carbon in oxygen

Gas jar Oxygen Carbon burning Bicarbonate indicator

Deflagrating spoon

Arrangement of apparatus The observation and conclusion of the experiment carried out
Observation The gas jar feel hot Carbon burns brightly Bicarbonate indicator turns yellow Conclusion Heat energy is released. Light energy is released. Carbon dioxide is released.

Combustion of carbon produces heat, light and carbon dioxide.

What air pollution is?

When substances that are harmful to our health or that can cause damage to our environment are found in the air any visible or invisible substances in the atmosphere that pose a threat to human or the environment, and can arise from human & natural sources Eg: 1. Dust, 4. Carbon dioxide 2. Soot 5. pesticides 3. Smoke

Examples of air pollution

Sulphur dioxide and oxide of nitrogen (nitrogen dioxide)

Source of pollution
Burning

Effect on man and environment

Cause

fuels Burning of rubbish

Cigarette

of fossil

acid rain corrode metal and stone structure Reduce the yield of plant

Carbon monoxide

smoke Incomplete combustion of fuels

Burning

Cause

brain damage If severe, man may die because it prevents the red blood cells from transporting oxygen around the body

Carbon dioxide

of fuels Causes global warning and green house effect. Forest fire

Construction

Dust (haze)

site Cement plant

Burning

Causes

difficulties in breathing. Lung cancer

of Cause haze rubbish and fuels Cause breathing Smoke and soot Cigarette difficulties. smoke
Aerosol

Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)

Lead

sprays Refrigerator and air conditioner Burning of leaded fuels

Damage

the ozone layer Causes cataract in eyes Causes damage to brain, heart and kidneys.

Pollutants

1.
2. 3.

Cause the air become hazy & cause : Low visibility Breathing difficulties Reduction in the rate of photosynthesis

Enforcement of anti-pollution law

Enforcement of the Clear Air Act 1979 ensure that industrial activities are not carried out in a housing area open burning is not carried out chimneys of factories are built to certain height

1.

2. 3.

Managing pollutant

1.
2.

3.

Include: Removing sulphur from fuels Using catalytic converters to make poisonous fumes from car engines harmless Fixing electronic devices on chimneys to trap dust, smoke & soot

Air Pollution
3. Pollution from combustion causes a. Green house effect i. Carbon dioxide is given out when fuels are burned. It remain in the atmosphere. ii. Carbon dioxide acts like blanket which retain heat. This causes the Earth to warm up slowly, leading to the green house effect. iii. The green house effect may cause The polar ice caps to melt which will raise the sea level The climate to change.

b. Acid rain
i. Most fossil fuels contain sulphur impurities. ii. These turn into sulphur dioxide when the sulphur is burned. iii. Oxide of nitrogen are released when fossil fuels are burned.

iv.
v.

Sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen mix with cloud to form acid.
These then fall as acid rain.

vi.

Cars and power stations are the main causes of acid rain.

Air Pollution
4. Effects of acid rain on the environment a. Acid rain causes lakes to become acidic which has a severe effect on their ecosystem. b. Acid rain kills fish and trees. c. Acid rain damages limestone buildings and ruins stone statues.

Air Pollution
5. Thinning of the ozone layer
a. The ozone layer protects the Earth from excessive ultraviolet rays from the sun. b. 95% - 99% of ultraviolet rays can be blocked by the ozone layer,

preventing it from reaching the Earth.

c. d. Ultraviolet rays can cause skin cancer (melanoma), eyes cataract and weakened the body immune system. Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) can cause the ozone layer to corrode.

The ozone layer protects the earth from the suns ultraviolet rays.

Sun
Ozone layer

Ultraviolet rays

The thinning of ozone layer causes the ultraviolet rays to reach the Earth.

Thinning of the ozone layer

Steps to Control Air Pollution

Equip cars with catalytic converter

Control the use of chlorofluorocarbon

Set up factories far away from housing estate. Filter smoke from factories before releasing it

Use unleaded petrol

Steps to control air pollution

Frequent antismoking campaign

Encourage reforestation

Ban open burning of rubbish

The important of Keeping the Air Clean

1. When the air is clean: a. The quality of air increases and health problems associated with air pollution will decrease. b. The yield of crops will be better. c. Global warming can be controlled. d. The world become a better place to live. 2. We should practice good habits that keep the world clean. a. Recycle papers, bottles and can to reduce waste. b. Use unleaded petrol to reduce lead particles in the air. c. Practice car pooling or use public transports to reduce the number of cars on the road. d. Use less chlorofluorocarbon (CFC). e. Save electricity so that less fossil fuels have to be burnt to provide electricity.

Aim : To show the pollutants in cigarette smoke

Pollutants in Cigarette Smoke

Thermometer Glass tube Rubber tubing To pump

Cigarette Cotton wool

Conical flask

Thinning of the ozone layer 1. The thermometer gives a higher reading.

3. The hydrogen carbonate indicator turns yellow.

Hydrogen carbonate indicator

2. The white cotton wool turns brown after a few minutes.

4. These show that cigarette smoke:

a. Is warm b. Contain pollutants c. Is acidic.

Pollutants in Cigarette Smoke

1. Smoking cigarette pollutes the air because its smoke contains more than 4000 chemicals

2. Nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide are some examples of pollutants in cigarette smoke.
3. Nicotine is a drug that act upon the brain and the nervous system. Smokers become addicted to it. 4. Tar damage the cilia of the air passage and blocks the tiny air passage leading to the alveoli

5. Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas; tend to combine with the haemoglobin in red blood cells, thus reducing the amount of oxygen that the blood can carry

Life without clean air

Health problem lead can causes blood poisoning & brain damage; smoke in the air can cause lung infection A reduction in agriculture production dust sticks to leaves & slow down the process of photosynthesis Blurred vision dust or smoke in the air blurs vision ACCIDENT

Life without clean air

Animals will fall sick & will eventually die The greenhouse effect man will live in a warmer environment Deformities radioactive wastes causes deformities in unborn babies Acid rain metal objects corrode and the pH of soil & water sources is lowered

Reduce, reuse and recycle used items whenever possible. Buy and use recycled products Buy and use products in their non-aerosol form. Select products with less packaging. Packaging consumes energy when it is made, generates harmful volatile organic compounds when it is printed and produces carbon dioxide & carbon monoxide when its burned Look for durability in products you buy & use , not just lower price.

Reduce, reuse and recycle used items whenever possible. Buy and use recycled products Buy and use products in their non-aerosol form. Select products with less packaging. Packaging consumes energy when it is made, generates harmful volatile organic compounds when it is printed and produces carbon dioxide & carbon monoxide when its burned Look for durability in products you buy & use , not just lower price.