1. Importance of Air1
1. Importance of Air1
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Explain air is needed by all living things
Air is something we cannot see, but it's all around us, making up the Earth's atmosphere. It's like an invisible blanket of gases that helps plants, animals, and humans live and breathe. Think of the wind that moves the leaves or the air you feel when you blow up a balloon – that's the air we're talking about! In this journey, we'll discover what makes up this invisible air, how it keeps us alive, and why it's so important for everything on our planet. Get ready to explore the wonders of the air we breathe!
Humans can survive without food and water for days, but we cannot survive for more than a few minutes without air. Because of this, air is the most crucial component of life. In addition to keeping us alive, the air we breathe affects how well we live.
a. Air is needed for Respiration and Photosynthesis
A variety of particles are found in air, which contribute to sustain human life. Animals and plants both require air for respiration.
Life on land
All living organisms on land including plants, animals and humans, breathe in oxygen from air and release carbon dioxide through the process of respiration. This process gives living organisms the energy to eat, grow, and live life!
Fig. 1.1 Air gives energy to grow
Plants use carbon dioxide present in the air to make their own food in the presence of sunlight and water by the process of photosynthesis. During photosynthesis plants give out oxygen.
Fig. 1.2 Photosynthesis and Respiration in Plants
Life in water
Aquatic plants and animals depend on the oxygen in the water to survive. Aquatic plants use their leaves to prepare food by absorbing carbon dioxide from the water. The aquatic animals have specialised organs that allow them to breathe dissolved oxygen in the water.
Fig. 1.3 Air is needed for survival
Life in soil
The soil contains air that is trapped. Many living organisms, including earthworms, snails, insects, and other small animals, make use of the trapped air for respiration.
Watch this video to recap the importance of air for living things:3
Vid. 1.1 Air for living things
b. Air is needed for water cycle4
b. Air is needed for water cycle4
The water cycle shows the continuous movement of water within the Earth and atmosphere.
The majority of the water on Earth is found in the oceans, although water also occurs as ice and water vapour.
Surface water evaporates into the air after being heated by the sun. Water vapour condenses into clouds as the temperature drops. Clouds release water to the earth as rain or snow.
Because clouds move, they frequently carry water to places far from the source. The water cycle makes sure that all life on Earth has access to the water it requires. Also, it helps in refilling lakes, rivers, and other water bodies.
Fig.1.4 Role of Air in Water Cycle
c. Oxygen in air is needed for combustion5
c. Oxygen in air is needed for combustion5
People typically use various materials like wood, cow dung cakes, leftover crop parts, kerosene oil, coal, or LPG gas to cook meals. To power vehicles, petrol or diesel is commonly used. Factories rely on coal, fuel oil, or natural gas. All these materials—wood, coal, LPG, petrol, diesel, and natural gas—share a common trait: they generate heat when burned, which is then utilised for various purposes.
We require oxygen to burn things like candles, paper, kerosene, coal, wood, cooking gas (LPG), etc. The air around us provides the oxygen needed for combustion. A burning substance will stop burning if the supply of fresh air is cut off since the substance will no longer receive the oxygen it needs to burn.
Watch this experiment
Vid. 1.2 Air is necessary for combustion7
Glossary
sustain: to keep somebody/something alive or healthy
respiration: the movement of air or dissolved gases into and out of a living organism to produce energy
photosynthesis: process in which green plants use sunlight to make their own food
dissolved: to mix with a liquid so that the result is a liquid that is the same throughout
combustion: the process of burning
condenses: make something change from gas to liquid
Summary
All living things need air for breathing.
Aquatic plants and animals use dissolved oxygen from water.
Plants rely on air to provide carbon dioxide to make their own food during photosynthesis.
Air plays an important role in the water cycle.
Oxygen present in the air is needed for burning.
References
1. Why is AIR important? Airbreath,(n.d) link
2. Air Around Us: Definition, Properties, Composition, Uses. Embibe, 2023 link
3. Science G4 Importance of air for living things Part 2 mp4, Youtube, Student Support Programme, (n.d) link
4. The Importance of Air, Sciencing, 2018 link
5. Burning and Combustion. Brainkart,(n.d) link
6. Combustion and Flame. Philoid, (n.d) link
7. Air is Necessary for Combustion, Youtube, Science Projects,(n.d) link
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