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It is hard to imagine that air is matter in the same way that solids and liquids are. After all, matter is something that has volume (takes up space) and has mass. However, since air is invisible, it seems to have neither. In fact, for many thousands of years people didn’t even know air existed. However, air takes up space, even if we don’t see it, and it also has weight, even if we don’t feel it. Both properties can be observed and measured.
air as matter
Matter has three states: solid, liquid, and gas. Air is an example of matter in a gaseous state. Actually, air is a mixture of different gases. The air in Earth’s atmosphere is made up of 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen, and also contains small amounts of many other gases, such as carbon dioxide, neon, and hydrogen.
Although air is mostly a gas, it also contains many small particles. These airborne particles are called aerosols. Some aerosols, such as dust and pollen, are naturally carried by the wind. But the air can also carry soot, smoke and other particles from car exhausts and power plants. These particles are the largest contributors to air pollution.
Fun facts about the air
Air makes an essential contribution to the life of humans, other animals and plants. Its components allow many life processes to be possible. This we know well; however, there are details about the air that you may not be aware of. We tell you below:
Air also contains water
You’ve probably heard the words “relative humidity” do you know what exactly it means? Relative humidity is the amount of water the air can hold before it rains. Humidity is usually measured as a percentage, so the highest relative humidity level, just before it rains, is 100%.
The air changes as we rise
The air seems light, but there is a great deal of it pushing down on the Earth’s surface. This is called atmospheric pressure. Atmospheric pressure is high at sea level because the entire atmosphere is pushing down. Atmospheric pressure is low at the top of a mountain because there is less atmosphere pushing down. That difference in atmospheric pressure can make your ears pop when you take off in a plane or climb a hill.
Air is a protective element
On Earth, we are lucky to have an atmosphere filled with air. The air in our atmosphere acts as an insulator, keeping the Earth from getting too hot or cold. Ozone, another type of gas present in the air, also protects us from excess sunlight. The air in the atmosphere can also protect us from meteorites. When meteorites come into contact with our atmosphere, they brush through the air and often burn up and break up into small pieces before reaching Earth.
Air, respiration and carbon dioxide
People need to breathe, just like many other animals and plants. The act of breathing is part of a process called respiration. During respiration, a living being takes in oxygen from the air and releases carbon dioxide or CO 2 . Plants use this gas, along with sunlight, to make food and oxygen too! The process by which oxygen is released and living matter is formed from inorganic matter is called photosynthesis. However, large amounts of CO 2 are produced when cars and power plants burn coal, oil and gasoline. This is somewhat problematic, because CO 2 is the main culprit in man-made global warming.
there is life in the air
Many living things live on the ground and in the water. But did you know that you can also find living organisms in the air? These tiny microbial organisms are called bioaerosols. Although these microbes cannot fly, they can travel long distances in the air, carried by the wind.
