Question bank: Air Composition

In addition to these two main chemical elements, Carbon Dioxide is also present in large quantities in the Earth's atmosphere (about 0.04%). This gas has been considered by international organizations as one of the main culprits for global climate change in recent years due to its specific physical properties. How does this gas act in the environment?

The air also contains other gases in smaller quantities: Water vapor (about 0-4%), Noble gases (about 0.0001%) and Ozone (about 0.00001%). Ozone has been considered an important element in protecting against ultraviolet rays from the Sun, as it has specific physicochemical characteristics capable of absorbing part of these harmful rays to human and animal health at high altitudes above Earth's clouds. What is the main function of this gas in the environment?

The gases present in the air have specific functions for the functioning of life on Earth. What functions is nitrogen responsible for?

When analyzing the composition of the air, we see that it is a mixture of various gases, with nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2) being the most abundant, followed by argon (Ar) and carbon dioxide (CO2), among others. Each of these components plays a crucial role for life on the planet, and changes in their proportions can have significant impacts. For example, the increase in carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere has been associated with the phenomenon of global warming. Based on this context, answer: (1) Explain how the analysis of the composition of the air allows us to understand the importance of each of the gases present for the biological and climatic processes of the Earth. (2) Discuss the possible consequences for the environment and living organisms of a significant change in the proportion of carbon dioxide compared to other gases.

When observing a beautiful sunset, we notice that the sky takes on an orange hue, and this can be explained by the properties of light scattering. However, if we analyze the phenomenon based on the composition of the air, we can also understand how the presence of certain gases affects how we see sunlight at the end of the day. The air we breathe is a mixture of gases, with nitrogen and oxygen being the most abundant, closely followed by carbon dioxide. Based on this context, answer: (1) What is the approximate percentage composition of atmospheric air in terms of nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide? (2) Discuss briefly how air pollution, including the presence of aerosols and other contaminants, can alter the way sunlight is scattered, impacting the air quality we breathe and our visual perception.