INTRODUCTION

Definition of Air

Air is a mixture of gases like oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide in higher
proportions and much smaller levels of argon, water vapor, and other gases. Living
things live and breathe in the clear gas. It has an indefinite shape and volume. It has
no color or smell. Air is a matter so it has mass and weight. The weight of air
creates atmospheric pressure. The Components of air are 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen,
0.9% argon, 0.04% carbon dioxide, and very small amounts of other gases and water
vapor. In aerobic respiration, animals need to breathe the oxygen in the air.
In breathing, we inhale oxygen which reaches the lungs and from lungs blood
capillaries absorb oxygen and carbon dioxide is breathed out into the air. Plants need
carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.

Air is a natural virtue on earth which sustains life. It exists in the atmosphere and it
basically contains a mixture of numerous gases like oxygen, nitrogen and carbon
dioxide in higher proportions and much smaller levels of argon, water vapour, and
other gases. Air also contains bacteria, suspended dust, and spores. However, the
chemistry of air is really fascinating.

Air is a non-visible form of matter which is free-flowing and in the gaseous state.
We cannot see it, taste it but we sometimes smell it. However, air is a known
matter and like all matter, it has weight, is compressible, and takes up space.
Meanwhile, the components of air and its properties are mostly studied in
chemistry as well as in physics.
Important Uses of Air

Air is a natural resource and is available abundantly. When we talk about the uses
of air, the first thing that we can say that it is the most important element that
supports the vitality and well being of all living things on the earth. Having said
that, just like water, air is very useful and it has a lot of applications.

 Sustain life and growth

 Combustion
 Maintaining Temperature
 Supplier of Energy
 Photosynthesis

Sustain Life and Growth

Air consists one of the main life-sustaining gas called oxygen. Almost all living
things breathe in and breathe out this air. Nitrogen and Carbon dioxide are also
other gases that are vital for plants and their growth.

Combustion

Apart from this, air supports burning or combustion. The oxygen present in air help
in burning of the fuels to basically carry out activities like cooking food, running
industries and vehicles as well as generating heat and electricity.

Temperature Control

Another important aspect of air is that it helps in maintaining the temperature on

the earth surface by circulating hot and cold air. Air acts as a conductor of heat as
well. Even phenomena such as water cycle are dependent on air.
Supplier of Energy

Air which consists of energy is one of the main suppliers of energy. Living things
are made up of cells and these cells extract oxygen within the blood to produce
energy usually in the form of ATP. This biochemical generation of ATP is
essential to maintain life on the earth.

Photosynthesis

Carbon dioxide, which is a component of air is used by plants during the process of
photosynthesis. Here oxygen is also released by plants. And we already know how
vital oxygen is.

Apart from these, various gas in the air have different uses. For
example, Nitrogen is used in the production of ammonia whereas hydrogen and
other gases are also used routinely in science and technology.

BOYLE'S LAW

Boyle’s law is a gas law which states that the pressure exerted by a gas (of a given
mass, kept at a constant temperature) is inversely proportional to the volume
occupied by it. In other words, the pressure and volume of a gas are inversely
proportional to each other as long as the temperature and the quantity of gas are
kept constant. in equation form, pv = k, a constant.

Example of Boyle's Law

An example of Boyle's law in action can be seen in a balloon. Air is blown into the
balloon; the pressure of that air pushes on the rubber, making the balloon expand.
If one end of the balloon is squeezed, making the volume smaller, the pressure
inside increased, making the un-squeezed part of the balloon expand out.
Working Principle of Boyle's Law

How does Boyle's law work? Boyle's law is a gas law that states that a gas's
pressure and volume are inversely proportional. When the temperature is kept
constant, as volume increases, pressure falls and vice versa.

APPLICATION OF BOYLE'S LAW

The following are the applications of Boyle’s law

o A medical syringe is a classic example of Boyle’s law, where the gas (or air)
is compressed on application of external pressure under normal temperature
conditions.
o Inflation of tyres.
o Spray paints and aerosol sprays.
o Suits of astronauts are designed on the same principle.
o Biological functions like breathing are also based on the same.

The relationship between the volume and pressure of a gas at constant temperature
is described by Boyle's Law. Boyle's Law states that for a given amount of gas at
constant temperature, the pressure of the gas is inversely proportional to its
volume. Mathematically, this can be expressed as:

PV=k

where:

 P is the pressure of the gas,

 V is the volume of the gas,

 k is a constant specific to the amount of gas and the temperature.

In simpler terms, if the temperature and the amount of gas are held constant:

 When the volume of the gas decreases, the pressure increases.

 When the volume of the gas increases, the pressure decreases.

For example, if you compress a gas into a smaller volume, the gas molecules will
collide more frequently with the walls of the container, resulting in an increase in
pressure. Conversely, if you allow the gas to expand into a larger volume, the
molecules will collide less frequently, and the pressure will decrease.

This relationship can be graphically represented as a hyperbolic curve on a PV

diagram, where the product PV remains constant for any point along the curve.
REFERENCES

Boyle's original experiment and findings are well-documented in historical

scientific literature, such as in his publication "New Experiments Physico-
Mechanical, Touching the Spring of the Air and its Effects" (1660).

Modern chemistry and physics textbooks provide comprehensive explanations and

derivations of Boyle's Law. For example, "Chemistry: The Central Science"
by Brown, LeMay, Bursten, and Murphy is a widely used textbook that
covers this topic in detail.

Online educational resources, such as Khan Academy and the American Chemical
Society, offer accessible explanations and interactive simulations that
demonstrate Boyle's Law in action.

Levine, Ira. N (1978). "Physical Chemistry" University of Brooklyn: McGraw-

Hill

Levine, Ira. N. (1978), p. 12 gives the original definition.

In 1662, he published a second edition of the 1660 book New Experiments

Physico-Mechanical, Touching the Spring of the Air, and its Effects with an
addendum Whereunto is Added a Defence of the Authors Explication of the
Experiments, Against the Obiections of Franciscus Linus and Thomas
Hobbes; see J Appl Physiol 98: 31–39, 200