The gas in the air contains the largest amount. What gases does air consist of? What is carbon dioxide

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Atmosphere is the air that surrounds Earth and one of the most important reasons for the emergence of life on earth. It was atmospheric air, its unique composition that gave living beings the opportunity to oxidize organic matter with oxygen and obtain energy for existence. Without it, the existence of man, as well as all representatives of the animal kingdom, most plants, fungi and bacteria, will be impossible.

Significance for a person

The air environment is not only a source of oxygen. It allows a person to see, perceive spatial signals, use the senses. Hearing, sight, smell - they all depend on the state air environment.

Second important point- defence from solar radiation. The atmosphere envelops the planet with a shell that delays part of the spectrum sun rays. As a result, about 30% of solar radiation reaches the earth.

The air environment is the shell in which precipitation forms and evaporation rises. It is she who is responsible for half of the moisture exchange cycle. Precipitation formed in the atmosphere affects the work of the World Ocean, contributes to the accumulation of moisture on the continents, determines the destruction of open rocks. She takes part in the formation of the climate. Air circulation is the most important factor formation of specific climatic zones and natural areas. The winds that occur over the Earth determine the temperature, humidity, precipitation, pressure, and weather stability in the region.

Currently mined from the air chemical substances: oxygen, helium, argon, nitrogen. The technology is still at the testing stage, but in the future it can be considered a promising direction chemical industry.

The above is the obvious. But the air environment is also important for industry and economic activity person:

It is the most important chemical agent for the reactions of combustion and oxidation.
Transfers heat.

Thus, atmospheric air is a unique air environment that allows living things to exist, and man to develop industry. Close interaction has been established between the human body and the air environment. If you violate it, serious consequences will not keep you waiting.

Atmospheric pollution - serious ecological problem present century. Toxic chemical compounds, organic substances, pathogenic microorganisms - any large emissions into the atmosphere change its composition. She, like any other part geographical envelope Earth, capable of self-purification and self-regulation. The question is when the self-purification resources will be completely depleted.

Gas composition

What gases are in the atmosphere? Chemical composition atmospheric air relatively constant, the most important indicator which reflects the state of the environment.

The composition of atmospheric air includes the following gases:

Nitrogen - 78%.
21% oxygen.
Water vapor is about 1.5%, the indicator strongly depends on the climatic zone and air temperature.
Slightly less than 1% argon.
0.04% carbon dioxide
Ozone.

As well as other gases that are an integral and constant component of atmospheric air. The gas composition of atmospheric air is preserved due to the natural circulation of substances. Oxygen, which is produced by plants, is extremely important for human life. So, scientists managed to calculate that the loss of only 3% of oxygen can lead to a complete stop of all biological processes on Earth. Ozone is required to dilute oxygen, and it also concentrates in the upper stratosphere, creating an ozone layer that protects the Earth from solar radiation.

Atmospheric air also contains carbon dioxide (carbon dioxide), which is formed in different ways - during decomposition organic matter, if fuel is heated or burned, in the process of respiration of animals and plants. Absorb it mainly plants - so maintaining sufficient vegetation cover is extremely important for stable operation atmosphere.

composition constancy

The air environment is capable of self-regulation, that is, to maintain the constancy of the composition. If her chemical composition changed - only bacteria remained on Earth. But, fortunately for humans, it is able to eliminate local pollution.

Self-regulation occurs through:

Precipitation, which falls in the form of rainwater, introduces pollutants into the soil.
Chemical reactions that take place directly in the air with the participation of oxygen and ozone. These reactions are oxidative in nature.
Plants that oxygenate the air and absorb carbon dioxide.

However, no amount of self-regulation can eliminate the harm that industry is doing. Therefore, in recent times Of particular importance is the sanitary protection of atmospheric air.

Hygienic characteristic of air

Pollution is the process of impurities entering the atmospheric air, which should not normally be present. Pollution can be natural or artificial. Impurities that come from natural sources are neutralized in the planetary circulation of matter. With artificial pollution, the situation is more complicated.

Natural contaminants include:

Cosmic dust.
Impurities formed during volcanic eruptions, weathering, fires.

Artificial pollution is anthropogenic in nature. Distinguish between global and local pollution. Global is all emissions that can affect the composition or structure of the atmosphere. Local is a change in indicators in a specific area or in a room used for living, working or public events.

Atmospheric air hygiene is an important branch of hygiene that deals with the assessment and control of indoor air. This section appeared in connection with the need for sanitary protection. It is difficult to overestimate the hygienic value of atmospheric air - along with breathing, all the impurities and particles contained in the air enter the human body.

The hygienic assessment includes the following indicators:

Physical properties of atmospheric air. This includes temperature (the most common violation of SanPiN at workplaces is that the air heats up too much), pressure, wind speed (at open areas), radioactivity, humidity and other indicators.
The presence of impurities and deviation from the standard chemical composition. Atmospheric air is characterized by its suitability for breathing.
The presence of solid impurities - dust, other microparticles.
The presence of bacterial contamination - pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microorganisms.

To compile a hygienic characteristic, the indications obtained for four points are compared with the established standards.

environmental protection

Recently, the state of atmospheric air has been a concern for environmentalists. Along with the development of industry, environmental risks also grow. Factories and industrial zones not only destroy the ozone layer by heating the atmosphere and saturating it with carbon impurities, but also reduce the hygienic quality of the air. Therefore, in developed countries it is customary to carry out comprehensive measures to protect the air environment.

The main areas of protection:

Legislative regulation.
Development of recommendations for the location of industrial zones, taking into account climatic and geographical factors.
Carrying out measures to reduce emissions.
Sanitary and hygienic control at enterprises.
Regular composition monitoring.

Protection measures also include planting green spaces, creating artificial reservoirs, creation of barrier zones between industrial and residential areas. Recommendations for the implementation of protective measures have been developed in organizations such as WHO and UNESCO. State and regional recommendations are developed on the basis of international ones.

Currently, the problem of air hygiene is receiving more and more attention. Unfortunately, at the moment the measures taken are not enough to completely minimize anthropogenic harm. But one can hope that in the future, together with the development of more environmentally friendly industries, it will be possible to reduce the burden on the atmosphere.

Air is an essential condition for the life of the overwhelming number of organisms on our planet.

A person can live for a month without food. Three days without water. Without air - just a few minutes.

Research History

Not everyone knows that the main component of our life is an extremely heterogeneous substance. Air is a mixture of gases. Which ones?

For a long time it was believed that air is a single substance, not a mixture of gases. The heterogeneity hypothesis appeared in scientific papers many scientists in different time. But no one has gone further than theoretical conjectures. Only in the eighteenth century, the Scottish chemist Joseph Black experimentally proved that the gas composition of air is not uniform. The discovery was made in the course of regular experiments.

Modern scientists have proven that air is a mixture of gases, consisting of ten basic elements.

The composition differs depending on the place of concentration. Determination of the composition of the air occurs constantly. The health of the people depends on it. Air is a mixture of what gases?

At higher elevations (especially in the mountains) there is a low oxygen content. This concentration is called "rarefied air". In forests, on the contrary, the oxygen content is maximum. In megacities, the content of carbon dioxide is increased. Determining the composition of the air is one of the most important responsibilities of environmental services.

Where can air be used?

The compressed mass is used when pumping air under pressure. Installation up to ten bar is installed at any tire fitting station. Tires are inflated with air.
Workers use jackhammers, pneumatic guns to quickly remove / install nuts and bolts. Such equipment is characterized by low weight and high efficiency.
In industries using varnishes and paints, it is used to speed up the drying process.
In car washes, the compressed air mass helps in quick drying of cars;
Manufacturing companies use compressed air when cleaning tools from any kind of contamination. In this way, whole hangars can be cleaned of chips and sawdust.
The petrochemical industry can no longer imagine itself without equipment for purging pipelines before the first start-up.
In the production of oxides and acids.
To increase the temperature of technological processes;
Extracted from the air;

Why do living beings need air?

The main task of air, or rather, one of the main components - oxygen - is to penetrate into cells, thereby promoting oxidation processes. Thanks to this, the body receives the most important energy for life.

Air enters the body through the lungs, after which it is distributed throughout the body through the circulatory system.

Air is a mixture of what gases? Let's consider them in more detail.

Nitrogen

Air is a mixture of gases, the first of which is nitrogen. The seventh element of the periodic system of Dmitri Mendeleev. The Scottish chemist Daniel Rutherford in 1772 is considered the discoverer.

Included in proteins and nucleic acids human body. Although its proportion in cells is small - no more than three percent, gas is essential for normal life.

In the composition of the air, its content is more than seventy-eight percent.

AT normal conditions has no color and smell. Does not enter into compounds with other chemical elements.

The largest amount of nitrogen is used in the chemical industry, primarily in the manufacture of fertilizers.

Nitrogen is used in the medical industry, in the production of dyes,

In cosmetology, gas is used to treat acne, scars, warts, and the body's thermoregulation system.

With the use of nitrogen, ammonia is synthesized, nitric acid is produced.

In the chemical industry, oxygen is used to oxidize hydrocarbons to alcohols, acids, aldehydes, and to produce nitric acid.

Fishing industry - oxygenation of reservoirs.

But highest value gas has for living beings. With the help of oxygen, the body can utilize (oxidize) the necessary proteins, fats and carbohydrates, turning them into the necessary energy.

Argon

The gas that is part of the air is in third place in importance - argon. The content does not exceed one percent. It is an inert gas without color, taste and smell. The eighteenth element of the periodic system.

The first mention is attributed to an English chemist in 1785. And Lord Laray and William Ramsay received Nobel Prizes for proving the existence of gas and experiments with it.

Areas of application of argon:

incandescent lamps;
filling the space between the panes in plastic windows;
protective environment during welding;
fire extinguishing agent;
for air purification;
chemical synthesis.

It doesn't do much good for the human body. At high concentrations of gas leads to asphyxiation.

Cylinders with argon gray or black.

The remaining seven elements make up 0.03% in air.

Carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide in air is colorless and odorless.

It is formed as a result of decay or combustion of organic materials, it is released during breathing and the operation of cars and other vehicles.

In the human body, it is formed in tissues due to vital processes and is transferred through the venous system to the lungs.

It has a positive meaning, because under load, it expands the capillaries, which provides the possibility of greater transport of substances. Positive effect on the myocardium. It helps to increase the frequency and strength of the load. Used in the correction of hypoxia. Participates in the regulation of respiration.

In industry, carbon dioxide is obtained from combustion products, as a by-product of chemical processes or in the separation of air.

The application is extremely wide:

preservative in the food industry;
saturation of drinks;
fire extinguishers and fire extinguishing systems;
feeding aquarium plants;
protective environment during welding;
use in cartridges for gas weapons;
coolant.

Neon

Air is a mixture of gases, the fifth of which is neon. It was opened much later - in 1898. The name is translated from Greek as "new".

A monatomic gas that is colorless and odorless.

It has high electrical conductivity. It has a complete electron shell. Inert.

Gas is obtained by separation of air.

Application:

Inert environment in industry;
Refrigerant in cryogenic installations;
Filler for gas discharge lamps. Has found wide application thanks to advertising. Most of the colored signs are made with neon. When an electric discharge is passed, the lamps give a bright colored glow.
Signal lights at beacons and airfields. Worked well in heavy fog.
Air mixture element for people working with high pressure.

Helium

Helium is a monatomic gas, colorless and odorless.

Application:

Like neon, when an electric discharge is passed through, it gives a bright light.
In industry - to remove impurities from steel during smelting;
Coolant.
Filling airships and balloons;
Partially in breathing mixes for deep dives.
Coolant in nuclear reactors.
The main children's joy is flying balloons.

For living organisms, it is of no particular benefit. In high concentrations, it can cause poisoning.

Methane

Air is a mixture of gases, the seventh of which is methane. The gas is colorless and odorless. Explosive in high concentrations. Therefore, for indication, odorants are added to it.

It is used most often as a fuel and raw material in organic synthesis.

Home ovens, boilers, geysers work mainly on methane.

The product of the vital activity of microorganisms.

Krypton

Krypton is an inert monatomic gas, colorless and odorless.

Application:

in the production of lasers;
propellant oxidizer;
filling incandescent lamps.

The effect on the human body has been studied little. Applications for deep-sea diving are being studied.

Hydrogen

Hydrogen is a colorless combustible gas.

Application:

Chemical industry - production of ammonia, soap, plastics.
Filling of spherical shells in meteorology.
Rocket fuel.
Cooling of electrical generators.

Xenon

Xenon is a monatomic colorless gas.

Application:

filling incandescent lamps;
in engines spacecraft;
as an anesthetic.

Harmless to the human body. Doesn't offer much benefit.

Let's make a reservation right away, nitrogen in the air occupies a large part, however, the chemical composition of the remaining share is very interesting and diverse. In short, the list of main elements is as follows.

However, we will also give some explanations on the functions of these chemical elements.

1. Nitrogen

The content of nitrogen in the air is 78% by volume and 75% by mass, that is, this element dominates in the atmosphere, has the title of one of the most common on Earth, and, in addition, is found outside the human habitation zone - on Uranus, Neptune and in interstellar spaces. So, how much nitrogen is in the air, we have already figured out, the question remains about its function. Nitrogen is necessary for the existence of living beings, it is part of:

proteins;
amino acids;
nucleic acids;
chlorophyll;
hemoglobin, etc.

On average, about 2% of a living cell is just nitrogen atoms, which explains why there is so much nitrogen in the air as a percentage of volume and mass.
Nitrogen is also one of the inert gases extracted from atmospheric air. Ammonia is synthesized from it, used for cooling and for other purposes.

2. Oxygen

The oxygen content in the air is one of the most popular questions. Keeping the intrigue, let's digress to one fun fact: oxygen was discovered twice - in 1771 and 1774, however, due to the difference in the publications of the discovery, the credit for the discovery of the element went to the English chemist Joseph Priestley, who actually isolated oxygen second. So, the proportion of oxygen in the air fluctuates around 21% by volume and 23% by mass. Together with nitrogen, these two gases form 99% of the earth's air. However, the percentage of oxygen in the air is less than nitrogen, and yet we do not experience breathing problems. The fact is that the amount of oxygen in the air is optimally calculated precisely for normal breathing, in pure form this gas acts on the body like a poison, leads to difficulties in work nervous system, respiratory and circulatory failures. At the same time, the lack of oxygen also negatively affects health, causing oxygen starvation and all the unpleasant symptoms associated with it. Therefore, how much oxygen is contained in the air, so much is needed for healthy full breathing.

3. Argon

Argon in the air takes the third place, it has no smell, color and taste. A significant biological role of this gas has not been identified, but it has a narcotic effect and is even considered doping. Argon extracted from the atmosphere is used in industry, medicine, for creating an artificial atmosphere, chemical synthesis, fire fighting, creating lasers, etc.

4. Carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide makes up the atmosphere of Venus and Mars, its percentage in the earth's air is much lower. At the same time, a huge amount of carbon dioxide is contained in the ocean, it is regularly supplied by all breathing organisms, and is emitted due to the work of industry. In human life, carbon dioxide is used in fire fighting, the food industry as a gas and as a food additive E290 - a preservative and baking powder. In solid form, carbon dioxide is one of the most well-known dry ice refrigerants.

5. Neon

The same mysterious light of disco lights, bright signs and modern headlights use the fifth most common chemical element that people also inhale - neon. Like many inert gases, neon has a narcotic effect at a certain pressure, but it is this gas that is used in the preparation of divers and other people working under high blood pressure. Also, neon-helium mixtures are used in medicine for respiratory disorders, neon itself is used for cooling, in the production of signal lights and those same neon lamps. However, contrary to the stereotype, neon light is not blue, but red. All other colors give lamps with other gases.

6. Methane

Methane and air have very ancient history: in the primary atmosphere, even before the appearance of man, methane was in far more. Now this gas, extracted and used as a fuel and raw material in production, is not so widely distributed in the atmosphere, but is still emitted from the Earth. Modern research establish the role of methane in the respiration and life of the human body, but there are no authoritative data on this subject yet.

7. Helium

Looking at how much helium is in the air, anyone will understand that this gas is not one of the most important in importance. Indeed, it is difficult to determine the biological significance of this gas. Not counting the funny voice distortion when inhaling helium from a balloon 🙂 However, helium is widely used in industry: in metallurgy, food industry, for filling balloons and meteorological probes, in lasers, nuclear reactors, etc.

8. Krypton

We are not talking about the birthplace of Superman 🙂 Krypton is an inert gas that is three times heavier than air, chemically inert, extracted from air, used in incandescent lamps, lasers and is still being actively studied. From interesting properties krypton, it is worth noting that at a pressure of 3.5 atmospheres it has a narcotic effect on a person, and at 6 atmospheres it acquires a pungent odor.

9. Hydrogen

Hydrogen in the air occupies 0.00005% by volume and 0.00008% by mass, but at the same time it is the most abundant element in the universe. It is quite possible to write a separate article about its history, production and application, so now we will limit ourselves to a small list of industries: chemical, fuel, food industry, aviation, meteorology, electric power industry.

10. Xenon

The latter is in the composition of air, which was originally considered to be only an admixture to krypton. Its name translates as "alien", and the percentage of content both on Earth and beyond is minimal, which led to its high cost. Now xenon is essential: the production of powerful and pulsed light sources, diagnostics and anesthesia in medicine, spacecraft engines, rocket fuel. In addition, when inhaled, xenon significantly lowers the voice (the opposite effect of helium), and more recently, inhalation of this gas has been added to the doping list.