Chapter 18.7, Problem 1CT

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

If our air was $80\text{\%}$ of oxygen and $20\text{\%}$ of nitrogen, how would this affect our lives should be discussed.

Concept Introduction:

The air we breathe is made up of several gases. Oxygen contributes about $20\text{\%}$ and nitrogen consists in $78\text{\%}$. Other gases are present in very tiny amounts. Nitrogen is an inactive gas, so it does not involve in reactions. To make nitrogen reactive we have to provide huge amount of energy to break the triple bond between N-N. But oxygen is very reactive and involves in reactions actively and form covalent and non-covalent compounds.