What’s in the Air We Breathe? Discovering Nitrogen!

Did you know that the Earth's atmosphere is mostly nitrogen? Approximately 78% of the air we breathe is nitrogen gas.

Have you ever wondered what makes up the air we breathe? When you take a deep breath, you’re actually taking in a mix of different gases. The most surprising thing is that most of the air is made up of a gas called nitrogen. Let’s explore what this means and why nitrogen is so important!

What Is Air Made Of?

The air around us is like a big invisible mixture of different gases. Here’s what you’ll find in a breath of air:

Nitrogen: About 78% of the air we breathe is nitrogen. That’s a huge part of the air! Nitrogen is a colorless, odorless gas that doesn’t react easily with other things.
Oxygen: About 21% of the air is oxygen. This is the gas we need to breathe in to stay alive. Plants also need oxygen to grow.
Other Gases: The remaining 1% of the air includes small amounts of other gases like argon, carbon dioxide, and water vapor.

What Is Nitrogen?

What It Does: Nitrogen is a gas that makes up most of the air. It’s not something we breathe in to get energy like oxygen, but it’s still very important for the environment.
How It Works: Nitrogen helps keep the air balanced. It doesn’t react with other gases very easily, so it stays in the air and helps fill up the space around us.

Why Is Nitrogen Important?

Stable Air: Nitrogen helps make sure the air doesn’t change too quickly. Because it doesn’t react much, it helps keep the air steady and safe for us to breathe.
Plants and Soil: Nitrogen is also important for plants. Plants need nitrogen to grow big and strong. It gets into the soil from special processes and helps plants make their food.
Protecting Our Atmosphere: Nitrogen helps protect our atmosphere from getting too hot or too cold. It works with other gases to keep the Earth’s temperature just right for living things.

Fun Facts About Nitrogen

Invisible Gas: Nitrogen is colorless and has no smell, so we can’t see or smell it in the air. But it’s all around us!
Nitrogen in Food: Nitrogen is used in food packaging to keep snacks fresh. It helps keep the food from going bad too quickly.
Nitrogen Cycle: Nitrogen moves around in a cycle. It goes from the air into the soil, into plants, into animals, and then back into the air again. This helps keep everything in balance.

How Do We Know What’s in the Air?

Scientists use special tools to measure the different gases in the air. They can find out exactly how much nitrogen, oxygen, and other gases are present. This helps us understand how the air works and how we can keep it clean and healthy.

The air we breathe is mostly made up of nitrogen—about 78%! Nitrogen is an important gas that helps keep our atmosphere stable and supports plant growth. Even though we can’t see or smell it, nitrogen plays a big role in keeping our world balanced and healthy. So, the next time you take a breath, remember that nitrogen is a big part of the air you’re enjoying!