Grade 6
  1. Introduction to Chemistry  1.1. What is Chemistry?  1.2. Importance of chemistry in daily life  1.3. Branches of chemistry  1.4. Safety rules in chemistry laboratory  1.5. Common Laboratory Equipment and Their Uses
  2. Matter and its states  2.1. Definition of Matter  2.2. Properties of matter  2.3. States of matter  2.4. Solid state  2.5. Fluid state  2.6. Gaseous state  2.7. Plasma state  2.8. Changes in the states of matter  2.9. Melting and freezing  2.10. Evaporation and Condensation  2.11. Sublimation  2.12. Deposit
  3. Physical and chemical changes  3.1. Definition of Physical Change  3.2. Examples of physical change  3.3. Definition of Chemical Change  3.4. Examples of chemical change  3.5. Difference Between Physical and Chemical Changes  3.6. Indicators of Chemical Change
  4. Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures  4.1. Definition of the element  4.2. Classification of elements  4.3. Metals  4.4. Non metallic  4.5. Metalloids  4.6. Noble gases  4.7. Definition of compound  4.8. Properties of Compounds  4.9. Definition of Mixture  4.10. Types of mixtures  4.11. Homogeneous mixture  4.12. Heterogeneous mixtures
  5. Separation of mixtures  5.1. The need for isolation  5.2. Separation methods  5.3. Handpicking and winnowing  5.4. Filtration  5.5. Sedimentation and decantation  5.6. Evaporation  5.7. Crystallization  5.8. Distillation  5.9. Magnetic Separation  5.10. Chromatography
  6. Air and its composition  6.1. Components of air  6.2. Importance of Oxygen  6.3. The importance of nitrogen in the air and its composition  6.4. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere  6.5. The role of water vapor and other gases in air and its composition  6.6. Properties of Air  6.7. Uses of air  6.8. Air pollution and its effects
  7. Water and its properties  7.1. Importance of Water  7.2. Sources of water  7.3. Properties of water  7.4. Water as the universal solvent  7.5. Water Purification  7.6. Water purification methods (boiling, filtration, chlorination)  7.7. Water cycle  7.8. Water conservation  7.9. Water pollution and its effects
  8. Acids, Bases and Salts  8.1. Definition of Acid  8.2. Properties of Acids  8.3. Examples of Acids  8.4. Definition of Bases  8.5. Properties of bases  8.6. Examples of Bases  8.7. Definition of Salt  8.8. Neutralization reaction  8.9. pH Scale and Indicators  8.10. Uses of Acids, Bases and Salts
  9. Introduction to the Periodic Table  9.1. History of the Periodic Table  9.2. Arrangement of elements in the periodic table  9.3. Groups and periods  9.4. Importance of periodic table  9.5. First 10 elements and their symbols
  10. Metals and Nonmetals  10.1. Properties of Metals  10.2. Properties of Non-Metals  10.3. Difference Between Metals and Nonmetals  10.4. Uses of metals and nonmetals  10.5. Corrosion of metals and its prevention
  11. chemical reactions  11.1. Introduction to Chemical Reactions  11.2. Types of Chemical Reactions  11.3. combustion reaction  11.4. Oxidation and Reduction  11.5. Simple chemical equations  11.6. Rusting of iron
  12. Fuel and energy  12.1. Types of fuel  12.2. Fossil fuels  12.3. Renewable and non-renewable sources of energy  12.4. Energy Conservation  12.5. Alternative sources of energy (solar, wind, hydropower)
  13. Plastic and fiber  13.1. Natural and synthetic fibers  13.2. Properties of plastics  13.3. Advantages and disadvantages of plastic  13.4. Recycling of plastic  13.5. Biodegradable and non-biodegradable materials

Grade 6 → Air and its composition ↓


The role of water vapor and other gases in air and its composition


Air is a fascinating and essential part of our world. It's the invisible mixture of gases that surrounds us, giving us the oxygen we breathe and helping to sustain life on Earth. But air isn't just made up of oxygen. It's made up of a variety of different gases, each of which plays an important role in our environment.

What is air made of?

To understand what air is, we need to look at the gases it contains. Air is made up of several major gases, each of which contributes to the different functions air performs. Let's start by listing the main gases found in air:

  • Nitrogen ( N2 ) – About 78% of the air is composed of nitrogen.
  • Oxygen ( O2 ) - Oxygen in the air is about 21%.
  • Argon (Ar) - This noble gas makes up about 0.93% of the air.
  • Carbon dioxide ( CO2 ) - contains about 0.04% in the air.
  • Water Vapor (H 2 O) - The amount of water vapor can vary, typically between 0% and 4%.
  • Other gases - These include neon, helium, methane, krypton, and hydrogen, which together make up less than 1% of the air.

Nitrogen and its role

Nitrogen is the most abundant gas in our atmosphere. It is an inert gas, meaning it does not react easily with other substances. Although it does not participate in chemical reactions under normal conditions, nitrogen is vital to life on Earth. Plants and animals need nitrogen to make proteins, which are essential for cells and tissues.

Visual example - nitrogen molecule

N N

This picture shows a nitrogen molecule with two nitrogen atoms bonded together, written as N 2 .

Oxygen: Essential for life

Oxygen is the second most abundant gas in the atmosphere and is essential for life. Humans and animals need oxygen to breathe. It plays a vital role in respiration, a process that releases energy from food.

Oxygen is also important for combustion, which is the process of burning. This is why fires need oxygen to keep burning.

Visual example - oxygen molecule

Hey Hey

This is a simplified representation of the oxygen molecule, made up of two oxygen atoms bonded together, written as O 2 .

Argon: The noble gas

Argon is the third most common gas in the atmosphere. It is a noble gas, meaning it does not react easily with other elements. Argon is often used in light bulbs and welding to provide an inert atmosphere, preventing chemical reactions that could damage the material or the bulb.

Fun facts

Did you know? Although argon makes up only 0.93% of the air, it is more abundant than carbon dioxide!

Carbon dioxide: A greenhouse gas

Carbon dioxide is a small component of air but plays a vital role in climate regulation. Plants use carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, the process through which they make food using sunlight.

Carbon dioxide is considered a greenhouse gas because it contributes to the greenhouse effect by trapping heat in Earth's atmosphere. This effect keeps our planet warm enough to sustain life.

Visual example - carbon dioxide molecule

Hey C Hey

This picture shows a carbon dioxide molecule, composed of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms, written as CO 2 .

Water vapor: Invisible water

Water vapor is water in the gaseous state. You can't see water vapor, but it's always present in the air to some degree. It plays an important role in weather and climate.

When the air is warm, it can hold more water vapor, making it feel moist. Humidity is the amount of water vapor in the air. When the air cools, it can't hold as much water vapor, causing condensation and the formation of clouds, dew, or rain.

Visual example - water cycle

Evaporation ocean precipitation

This image shows the water cycle: the sun's heat causes ocean water to evaporate, turn into clouds, and eventually return to the ocean as precipitation.

Other gases

While other gases such as neon, helium, methane, krypton, and hydrogen make up less than 1% of the atmosphere, they still have important roles. For example, helium is used in balloons because it is lighter than air, and neon lights produce bright colors for signs.

Visual example - balloon filled with helium gas

He string

This is a view of a balloon filled with helium. Helium (He) helps the balloon float because it is lighter than the surrounding air.

Conclusion

Air is a mixture of different gases, each of which plays a unique and irreplaceable role. From providing oxygen for living creatures to enabling rain, these gases interact in a delicate balance that supports life on Earth. Understanding how these gases interact and affect our daily lives is an essential part of learning about the natural world.

In short, air isn't just the invisible oxygen we breathe or the nitrogen that makes up the biggest part of it. It's a complex mixture that affects weather patterns, climate change, and even the sound of a helium-filled balloon at a party.


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The role of water vapor and other gases in air and its composition

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