Chapter U2.18, Problem 6E

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation :

Whether ability to smell the air will be useful or not needs to be explained.

Concept Introduction :

A person can smell when odoring molecule reaches to nasal receptors and bind resulting a nerve impulse.

Answer to Problem 6E

It might not be useful to smell air.

Explanation of Solution

The smell of any substance reaches to nasal receptors through air. If air has its own smell of gases which are present in it (pure form of air), the smell of the substance gets mixed with the smell of air and one cannot identify the actual smell of the substance. The substances can be classified on the basis of their smell because air does not have its own smell. So, the classification of substances will be difficult if one can smell air (in pure form). Therefore, the ability to smell air will not be useful.

Conclusion

Ability to smell the air might not be useful as it will be difficult to identify the exact smell of a molecule of desired chemical.