Reader Forums
Astronomy forums are FREE. If you wish to participate you must LOGIN | REGISTER.

General astronomy discussion

Why the aproximate composition of air is 79% N2 and 21% O2 by volume?
Last post 08-17-2005 07:51 PM by tkerr. 2 replies.
Sort Posts:
Page 1 of 1 (3 items)
  • 08-13-2005 12:58 AM

    Why the aproximate composition of air is 79% N2 and 21% O2 by volume?

    Air consists of N2 and O2 and other gases in small quantities.

    Molecular weight of  N2 is 28 and that of O2 is 32.

    Oxygen is heavier than Nitrogen  but how  we always get  above mentioned composition.

    Why  is it not different at different place?

    P.J.LAKHAPATE

    plakhapate AT rediffmail DOT com

  • 08-17-2005 05:29 PM In reply to

    Re: Why the aproximate composition of air is 79% N2 and 21% O2 by volume?

    I'm sure if the atmosphere was still, oxygen would settle on the bottom, but our atmosphere is constantly moving and mixing, hence an even distribution... or roughly even Tongue [:P]  Anyway, that's my best guess.

  • 08-17-2005 07:51 PM In reply to

    Re: Why the aproximate composition of air is 79% N2 and 21% O2 by volume?

    The basic structure of the air we breath is:
    Nitrogen 78.084%
    Oxygen 20.964%
    Carbon dioxide 0.033%
    Other gases 0.919%

    Other gases consisting of Neon, Argon, Helium, Hydrogen, Carbon Monoxide etc, etc..

    The percentages will vary slightly from place to place depending on such things as smog / airpollution, foliage etc. Other than that the percentages will remain pretty much close to a constant.
    Although, The volume and density and movement will vary with altitude and temperature.
    Air is denser at sea level where atmospheric pressure is greater. And less dense at higher altitudes. therefore at high altitudes the air is  thinner (spread over a greater area) where the atmospheric pressure is less.

    There are some physical laws you can reference to determine the behavior of air/gases..

    Boyles Law: 
     Demonstrates that if the temperature remains constant, the volume of a given mass of gas is inversely proportional to the absulute pressure.

    Charles Law:
     The amount of change in either volume or pressure of a given volume of gas is directly proportional to the change in the absolute temperature.

    The volume would increase (spread / thin out) as the temperature increases and vise versa..

    Daltons Law:
    The total pressure exerted by a mixture of gases is equal to the sum of the pressures of each of the different gases making up the mixture - each gas acting as if it alone were present and occupied the total volume.

    Henry's Law:
    This law has to do with gases disolving into liquid

    To find greater detail on this yo can google these laws..
    Signature
    Have A Nice ...
    Tim Kerr
    Healthy mind - healthy body - healthy earth.
    Ad astra
    Ad eundum quo nemo ante iit
    Jacksonville, NC.

    Equipment:
    Orion XT10 Classic, Celestron C6 R-GT w/updated CG5 GT mount, C80ED
    Canon EOS 350D, Canon EOS 50D, Meade DSI II Color CCD, Phillips SPC900NC
Page 1 of 1 (3 items)
E-mail Address: Password:
Remember me?

Forgot your password » | Login help »

Not a member? Register » | Why join? »

My Profile

Copyright © 2009 Astronomy.com
Powered by Community Server (Commercial Edition), by Telligent Systems