Table of Contents
What is Air?
Air is an invisible mixture of several gases, water vapour, and impurities. The mixture of gases includes nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), carbon dioxide (0.3%), and other trace gases (0.7%). Among the trace gases, greenhouse gases are the most prominent. The air is made up of atoms and molecules. The gas molecules allow the air to move.
The air surrounding the earth is called the atmosphere. The atmosphere is divided into distinct layers- troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere, and ionosphere.
The air can be corrosive in nature. The corrosion ability of air depends upon the amount of pollutant present in it. Air in the industrial area contains high levels of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. The air in the marine environment has traces of chloride salts. The air in rural areas has no harmful pollutants. The air in urban areas contains pollutants from automobiles and industries.
Also Read: Sustainability of Natural Resources
Importance of Air
Air plays a major role in the water cycle, weather cycle, and production of oxygen. Water is constantly circulated through the water cycle. Water vapour is the gaseous form of water which falls on earth as rain. Oxygen is produced by the trees through a process called photosynthesis. The trees take in carbon dioxide, process it, and release oxygen.
Carbon dioxide also absorbs and emits infrared radiation. Ozone is an effective absorber of ultraviolet radiation. The air is a bad conductor of heat, and it keeps the climate of the earth under control during the day. If there was no air, the temperature of the earth would have risen to a very high degree.
In the coastal regions, the air gets heated and rises up. As the air rises, low pressure is created, and the air from the sea moves inland. This movement of air causes wind. Air is the most important element for sustaining life on earth. If there is no air, the temperature of the earth will rise drastically and hamper survival of life.
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