Final answer:
Air is a mixture of gases such as nitrogen, oxygen, water vapor, and carbon dioxide, each exerting its own partial pressure. It is a form of matter with mass and volume, and it plays an essential role in our respiratory system and environmental health.
Step-by-step explanation:
Air is composed of a mixture of gases that include nitrogen (N₂; 78.6 percent), oxygen (O₂; 20.9 percent), water vapor (H₂O; 0.5 percent), and carbon dioxide (CO₂; 0.04 percent), along with small amounts of argon, methane, various noble gases, and other trace components. Each of these gases contributes to the total atmospheric pressure, and this pressure can be understood as the sum of the individual partial pressures of the gases. The concept of partial pressure is important because it helps us calculate the presence and effect of each gas within the mixture using the formula P = (Patm) X (percent content in mixture), where Patm represents the atmospheric pressure.
The air we breathe not only consists of these gases, but also contributes to various life processes such as respiration, where oxygen is inhaled and carbon dioxide is exhaled. Matter, which includes gases, has mass and volume; for instance, the mass of air that fills a one-quart jar is approximately 0.0002 pounds. Despite its invisibility and low density compared to solids and liquids, air is indeed matter because it has mass and occupies space.
By understanding the composition and properties of air, we recognize the significance of maintaining a balanced atmospheric composition for the health of our planet and ourselves. In addition to gas composition, the process of inhalation involves air being drawn into the lungs where it is warmed, humidified, and stripped of particulate matter, ensuring that it is compatible with our body conditions.