1.

Basics

a. What is air? (definition of air)

Air is made of atoms and molecules, like everything else. Air is a gas, therefore
whatever atoms and molecules it consists of, these are quite far apart from
each other.

b. Common misconceptions regarding air

Misconception #1: There's a lot of air

To us the atmosphere seems very thick, but compared to the Earth, it is

only a thin skin of gas. Knowing how thin it should help us realize how easily it
could be filled with pollutants.

Besides giving us the oxygen we need to breathe, it also sheilds us from

harmful ultraviolet radiation and small meteors. The atmosphere also helps hold
in the warmth of the sun and spreads the warmth more evenly over the Earth's
surface. It also carries water from the oceans to the land by way of clouds and
rain.

Misconception #2: Air is light weight

We don't feel the weight of air nor do balloons seem heavy. It is true
that for the same volume, air is lighter than liquid or solids. But there are many
miles of air above us pushing down with incredible weight.

Air gets heavier as it cools. For example, sometimes rain falling in a

thundercloud cools the air fast and the heavy air comes crashing downward.
The dropping speed is usually about 45 miles per hour but can reach 200 miles
per hour endangering planes, people, and property. This is called a microburst.

Normally the air gets cooler as we go higher, but sometimes the air near
the ground is colder than the air above it. Because cold air is heavier, it will
stay close to the ground. This traps pollutants. This condition is common in
Phoenix in the winter and results in the infamous brown cloud.

Misconception #3: Calm Air

Since air is invisible it's easy to think of it just being still because we've
heard the phrases, "calm air" and "the air was still". However, even when air is
not blowing, it is far from being still.

In a helium balloon, the helium atoms are travelling an average of 3,000

miles per hour! In air, the oxygen and nitrogen molecules* are travelling about
1,000 miles per hour! At these incredibles speeds, one atom will collide with
other atoms and objects near them 7 billion times a second!

(*Note: Oxygen atoms travel in pairs as does nitrogen atoms. Two or

more atoms combined is called molecules. So we say a gas of oxygen molecules
and nitrogen molecules rather than saying oxygen atoms and nitrogen atoms)

This means that if a small air leak develops in the vacuum of space, air
molecules rush out over a 1,000 miles per hour. There is no atmosphere to hold
back the leak.

Misconceptions #4 & 5: Air is uniform & Hot Air Rises

Air is invisibile, so when we look at things through the air, we normally

think the air is uniform. If that were true, this balloon would not float.

The air around us is being compressed by all of the air above us. The
closer the air is to the ground the more weight is on it, and the more
compressed (or dense) it is. That means the air at the top of an object is not
as dense as the air under objects. In fact the air around us is constantly trying
to lift everything because the air below objects press a bit harder than the air
above the object.

In this picture, I replaced some of the balloons with bowling balls to

make the point that air is pushing up on bowling balls or helium filled balloons
the same amount. (as long as they are the same size). Again, that's because
the air under a bowling ball or balloon is more dense (compressed) than the air
near the top of the bowling ball or balloon.

The balloon rises because the air pushing on the bottom of the balloon
has a greater force than the downward force of the air on top of the balloon
plus the balloon's own weight. In the case of the bowling ball, the red weight
arrow is so large, the upward lift from the bottom air goes unnoticed.

So the real reason hot air balloons float, is NOT "Hot Air Rises." It's
because the air pressing on the lower half of the balloon is greater than the
combined air pressing on the upper half and the weight of the balloon. All the
hot air does is to reduce the weight of the air in the balloon. Hot air is more
spread out than cool air, so it's lighter. When the burner is on the air inside is
heated and as it expands much of it goes out the bottom of the balloon. This
reduces the red arrow, which represents the total weight of the balloon.

c. Nature of air

i. How is it produced / where does air come from

 Air is a wonderful and precious natural resource gifted by the almighty.
It is the main natural source which helps all life to sustain on this Mother Earth.
The Earth’s atmosphere is made up of different gases that keep plants, animals
and people alive. The composition of air in the atmosphere is – Nitrogen-
78.09%, Oxygen – 20.94%, Argon – 0.03%, Carbon dioxide 0.03%, Water
vapor, Helium, Krypton, and Xenon etc. Let us discuss the importance of air
being a natural resource.

ii. Is air different from wind? If so, what is the difference?

Air is the Earth's atmosphere. Air around us is a mixture of many

gases and dust particles. It is the clear gas in which living things live and
breathe. It has an indefinite shape and volume. It has no color or smell.
It has mass and weight. Air creates atmosphere pressure. There is no
air in the vacuum and cosmos.

While Wind is Wind is the flow or the movement of air. Winds

may be calm, gentle, breeze, gusts, gale, storm, hurricane, etc.

d. Is air a natural resource?

The air we breathe in keeps us alive, as well as performs many

other functions. Adults breathe in about 10 – 20 cubic meter of
air every day. Oxygen is the most important gas of air and an
average human being needs 600 quarts of Oxygen daily. The
Oxygen- Carbon dioxide cycle is of fundamental importance to
animal-plant relationships. The Oxygen is produced by Plant
Photosynthesis which has been taking place for millions of years.
Plants produce its food by the help of carbon dioxide given out by
human beings. In addition to this, air serves a number of other
functions like generating power through wind mills, suspends
clouds and helps in raining; Compressed air is used in many
industries and automobiles etc.

This precious natural resource in recent time has been polluted

due to various reasons. The air pollution has risen due to the
emission of smoke, sulphur dioxide, Nitrogen oxides, carbon
monoxides etc. Acute air pollution occurs when there is a
dispersal of pollutants in the atmospheres.

e. Types of air

a. Dry air is described as having less than 1% of moisture in it. The

best location to find this type of air is in the Southwest part of the
United States and also in the Middle East.
b. Moist Air - This air is best defined as having moisture present in it.
Anything greater than 1% would be described as being moist. The
 best places to find this type of air is along the Southeast part of the
United States due to the moisture from the Gulf of Mexico
c. third type of air is known as cold air which is found anywhere behind
a cold front. When a cold front moves through an area the temps
rapidly drop especially during the late fall and early spring when the
air in Canada is very cold.
d. The fourth type of air is warm air which is best found behind a warm
front. When a warm front moves through an area the temps will
gradually warm from the South to the North.

f. Atmosphere and Air

Air is human-breatheable gas: oxygen and nitrogen. Atmosphere, in this

comparison, is any gaseous mixture surrounding a celestial body, not necessarily
oxygen or nitrogen. Air is found in Earth's atmosphere.

g. What is ozone layer? How is it relevant to air

The ozone layer is the Earth's natural sunscreen, filtering out harmful
ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. UV rays can cause damage to humans and
other forms of life.

Although the ozone layer is high up in the atmosphere, chemical

substances used at the surface of the planet can damage it. If the ozone layer
is damaged, UV rays can get through and cause damage to humans and other
forms of life.

Therefore, the ozone layer must be protected from these chemicals so

that it can recover from the damage over many years.

One of the chemicals used that damages the ozone layer is a refrigerant
gas known as R22. This gas (a hydrochlorofluorocarbon or HCFC) is one of the
last remaining ozone depleting substances that is in common use. However,
the use of R22 for service and maintenance is now banned.

i. Main Causes for Air Pollution?

Smoke emitted from industries and vehicles

De Forestation
Higher population
Seasonal Influence
Smoke and ash due to Volcanic eruption

It is obvious that Pollution in Air has an adverse effect upon the health of all living
beings. Acidity of rain water and the deposition of solids on the leaves of the plants
are also the effects of air pollution
Air pollution causes acid rain, reduces visibility, damages wildlife, contributes to
eutrophication and depletion of the ozone layer. In addition, air pollution leads to
global warming hence resulting in global climate change.

It is obvious that Pollution in Air has an adverse effect upon the health of all living
beings. It is our duty to preserve air which is an important natural resource. Regular
Emission tests of vehicles, planting of trees in affected areas etc. will help us to control
air pollution to an extent.Without air there would not be any survival.

BENEFITS OF CLEAN AIR

Defy Aging

Who knew doing something as simple as breathing air can delay the early signs
of aging? But it can! Breathing exercises help alleviate stress and keep healthy cells,
well, healthy! According to scientists, aging is caused by a variety of factors, including
stress and cell damage.

Whenever you feel stressed out, take a deep breath and close your eyes. Count
your breathing until you feel yourself starting to relax. Do this every time things at
home or at work gets too overwhelming.

Developing your own breathing exercises help ease the nerves, calm the mind,
and relieve anxiety. When the body is getting enough oxygen, the cells remain healthy
and resistant to damage. Overall, breathing fresh air is good for the body, inside and
out!

Boosts Brain Activity

A breath of fresh air is literally good for the brain. Researchers at the Human
cognitive Neuroscience Unit in Northumbria tracked two groups of participants to see
how oxygen can boost cognitive functions. The first group was exposed to pure oxygen
and the second group to normal air. The group exposed to pure oxygen was able to
remember up to 20% more words from a given list than participants who breathe
normal air. So the next time your mind’s foggy and you need to focus, take a breather!
Fresh air makes even the most difficult task easier.

Boosts Energy
 If you are a frequent traveler, then you might be familiar with the usual
annoyances that come with being jetlagged. Apart from feeling tired and sleepy, jet
lag causes a dip in energy. And when you are feeling tired, the body is not getting
enough oxygen in the bloodstream. Taking a breather is a quick way to energize the
body and invigorate the mind. Of course, nothing beats a good nap!

Speeds Up Healing

Ever wonder why professional athletes recover from injuries and intense
training faster than normal people? Footballers, runners, and basketball players turn
to oxygen therapy to help them speed up recovery time. Breathing oxygen is proven
as an effective method to boost healing. In fact, health professionals recommend
oxygen therapy to patients who want to recover quickly from an operation or injuries.
Breathing pure oxygen does not benefit professional athletes and recovering patients
alone. You can turn to oxygen therapy to improve health and well-being too!

Detoxifies the System

Pure oxygen helps detoxify the system, purging the body clean of toxins that
harm the health. It works by oxygenating the blood. When the blood is oxygenated,
it works efficiently to remove toxins in the system. These toxins are expelled from the
body harmlessly as waste.

Strengthens the Immune System

The strong immune system makes the body resistant to common infections and
diseases including flu, colds, and cough. Although there are different ways to keep the
immune system healthy, breathing clean air is a factor that keeps the immune system
in tiptop shape. Combined with balanced diet and exercise, breathing clean air
promotes immunity.