Question

Name the main component of air.

Answer 1

Hint: The mixture of gases is known as air. The proportions of all the gases present in air are fixed. Air forms a cover of gases. This cover is known as atmosphere.

Complete answer:
Air is defined as the homogeneous mixture of gases. Homogeneous mixture indicates that the physical state or phase of all the components of air is the same. All the components of air are present in a gaseous phase. Air makes the atmosphere of the earth.
The composition of the gases in the air is fixed. Some gases are present in large proportions while some are present in minute proportions.
The main components of air are gases like nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, water vapour and argon. Other gases are present in minute proportions. Let us discuss in detail all the main components of air.
> Nitrogen gas $\left( {{{\text{N}}_{\text{2}}}} \right)$: The proportion of nitrogen gas in the air is highest. Air contains ${\text{78}}{\text{.0% }}$ of nitrogen by volume. The compounds containing nitrogen are essential for life on the earth.
> Oxygen gas $\left( {{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}} \right)$: The proportion of oxygen gas is in the air is second highest. Air contains ${\text{20}}{\text{.95% }}$ of oxygen by volume. Oxygen is necessary for life on earth.
> Argon gas $\left( {{\text{Ar}}} \right)$: Argon is a noble gas. Air contains ${\text{0}}{\text{.93% }}$ of argon gas by volume.
> Carbon dioxide gas $\left( {{\text{C}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}} \right)$: The carbon dioxide gas is released in the air by the living beings through respiration. Air contains ${\text{0}}{\text{.03% }}$ of carbon dioxide gas by volume. Carbon dioxide is absorbed by the plants for photosynthesis. Combustion process releases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
> Water vapours: The amount of water vapours is higher near the sea. Air contains ${\text{1% }}$ of water vapours by volume near the sea and ${\text{0}}{\text{.4% }}$ in the atmosphere.
Thus, the nitrogen gas is present in the highest proportion.

Thus, the main component of air is nitrogen gas $\left( {{{\text{N}}_{\text{2}}}} \right)$.

Note: Air also contains some gases which are harmful. The harmful gases are carbon dioxide $\left( {{\text{C}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{2}}}} \right)$, methane $\left( {{\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{4}}}} \right)$, nitrous oxide $\left( {{{\text{N}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{O}}} \right)$, etc. these gases increase the temperature of the atmosphere and are thus, responsible for global warming.