Question

The air you breathe is properly called a solution. Explain why.

Short answer

The air we breathe is considered a solution because it is a homogeneous mixture of gases and suspended particles that are uniformly distributed and cannot be easily separated. Nitrogen, oxygen, and argon are the major components, and they are dissolved among each other, along with trace amounts of other gases, water vapor, and pollutants.

Step-by-step solution

Defining a solution

A solution is a homogeneous mixture, which means that it is uniform throughout and the components cannot be easily separated. It typically consists of a solute, which is the substance being dissolved, and a solvent, which is the substance that does the dissolving. The particles in a solution are too small to be seen with the naked eye or to be filtered out.

Components of air

The air we breathe is a mixture of various gases and small suspended particles. The major components of air are nitrogen (around 78%), oxygen (around 21%), and argon (around 0.93%). Additionally, air contains trace amounts of other gases such as carbon dioxide, neon, helium, and methane, as well as water vapor and pollutants.

Considering air as a solution

The air we breathe can be considered a solution because the individual components are uniformly distributed across the mixture. The different gases are dispersed within each other, and their particles are too small to be seen or filtered with the naked eye. Furthermore, the composition of air is relatively stable, which means that the different gases do not readily separate from one another.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the air we breathe is properly called a solution because it is a homogeneous mixture of various gases and suspended particles that are uniformly distributed and cannot be easily separated. The major components of air, such as nitrogen, oxygen, and argon, are dissolved among each other, making this mixture a solution.

Key concepts

Solution Chemistry

Understanding why the air we breathe is called a solution necessitates a dive into solution chemistry. Solutions are a cornerstone in chemical science, specifically noted for their homogeneity. This homogeneity implicates that throughout a given volume, the composition is consistent, and the different components are spread evenly.

A key aspect of solution chemistry is the scale at which the substances mix. The particles of solute (the substance being dissolved) and solvent (the substance that does the dissolving) are incredibly tiny, well beyond the capability of the naked eye to differentiate. As a result, solutions do not exhibit the properties of their individual components but rather, present unique collective properties. These solutions can be in various states of matter - gaseous, liquid, and even solid.

Applying this to the air, we observe that it acts as a solution. Despite air being a mixture of multiple gases, it fulfills the criteria of a solution by having uniform dispersion of gases like nitrogen, oxygen, and argon throughout it, without settling or layering over time.

Gas Composition

Delving into the gas composition of air further illuminates why it is identified as a solution. Air is not a simple single gas, but rather a complex blend primarily composed of nitrogen, oxygen, and argon, which together account for nearly the entirety of air's volume.

Moreover, air encompasses minor constituents such as carbon dioxide, neon, and methane — often found in trace amounts. These gases, together with atmospheric water vapor and other particulates, are not haphazardly scattered but are diffused evenly to form a consistent mix.

This is analogous to how a pinch of salt dissolves into water, with the air behaving as a 'liquid' where the gases are the dissolved 'solutes.' Consequently, irrespective of where one is, the breath drawn in holds a remarkably stable ratio of these gases; a clear indication of the mix's uniformity and a defining characteristic of it being a solution.

Mixture Uniformity

The notion of mixture uniformity is pivotal to identifying a homogeneous mixture, such as the air, as a solution. This uniformity ensures that any sample taken from the mixture will have an identical composition to any other sample from anywhere within the mixture.

For any mixture to be characterized as uniform, it must exhibit consistency in two critical ways: it should not exhibit individual substances settling over time, and any small part of the mixture should represent the entire mixture virtually.

The stability in the ratio of gases in the air is a testament to this uniformity. Despite various environmental variables that might affect the atmosphere locally, overall, there is a persistent and reliable composition globally. This constant distribution of air's components makes it an exemplary model of mixture uniformity and hence, defines it as a homogeneous solution.