Question

What are the components of air? Write down the composition of the three main gases present in air by volume.

A. Nitrogen (78%), Oxygen (21%), Argon (1%)
B. Oxygen (78%), Nitrogen (21%), Carbon Dioxide (1%)
C. Carbon Dioxide (78%), Nitrogen (21%), Oxygen (1%)
D. Hydrogen (78%), Oxygen (21%), Helium (1%)

Answer 1

The three main components of air by volume are nitrogen (78%), oxygen (21%), and argon (1%). Nitrogen is essential for creating proteins, oxygen is vital for respiration and combustion, while argon's significance is in its inert nature. The correct answer to the student's question is A. Nitrogen (78%), Oxygen (21%), Argon (1%).

Step-by-step explanation:

Composition of Air by Volume

The air we breathe is composed of several gases, with the three main components being nitrogen, oxygen, and argon. By volume, the air is primarily composed of about 78% nitrogen (N₂), which acts as a diluent for the oxygen and is also essential for living organisms to create proteins. Oxygen (O₂) makes up about 21% of air by volume and is vital for respiration in living organisms and combustion processes. The third most abundant gas in the atmosphere is argon (Ar), contributing roughly 1% to the air's makeup, with its significance primarily due to its inert nature.

The correct answer to the question about the composition of the three main gases present in the air by volume is A. Nitrogen (78%), Oxygen (21%), Argon (1%). It is important to note that other gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water vapor (H₂O) are present in the atmosphere, but in much smaller amounts compared to nitrogen, oxygen, and argon.

Each gas in the air exerts a partial pressure, contributing to the overall atmospheric pressure. The partial pressure of a gas can be determined by multiplying the atmospheric pressure (Patm) by the percentage content of the gas in the mixture: P = (Patm) X (percent content in mixture).

Answer 2

Air is comprised of Nitrogen (78%), Oxygen (21%), and Argon (1%) by volume. The correct answer to the student's question about the main components of air is option A, making it the right choice to explain air's composition.

Step-by-step explanation:

Composition of Air

The air we breathe is a complex mixture of gases. The composition of dry air, by volume, consists mainly of the following three gases: Nitrogen (N₂), Oxygen (O₂), and Argon (Ar). Nitrogen is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere, making up approximately 78% of the air. Oxygen is the second most abundant, comprising about 21% of the air. Argon, while significantly less abundant than nitrogen and oxygen, still makes up around 1% of the atmosphere by volume. This leaves less than 1% for all other gases, including water vapor, carbon dioxide (CO₂), and trace amounts of other elements and compounds.

To answer the student's question directly, the three main gases present in air by volume are: Nitrogen (78%), Oxygen (21%), and Argon (1%). Thus, the correct option is A. Nitrogen (78%), Oxygen (21%), Argon (1%). When you choose any one option in the final part clearly, it's essential to ensure accuracy by considering the most reliable scientific data and research on the subject.