Is air a solution or mixture

Is air a solution or mixture

Air is a solution made up of many gases. The diagram shows what percentage of air is made up of each gas. There is more nitrogen than any other gas in air, so it is considered the solvent in an air solution.

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Some people regard it as a solution. Personally, I don't.

Explanation:

Air is a homogeneous mixture of gases, so it could in theory be regarded as a gaseous solution. However, I personally do not treat air as a solution, for the simple reason that there are virtually no interactions between the atoms of the various component gasses.

So in terms of describing or understanding the chemistry of air, I don't find any value in treating it as a solution.

Answer

Verified

Hint: A solution is a mixture of two or more solute dissolved in a solvent. A solution is homogeneous i.e. it is uniform throughout. Air is a mixture of different gases where the percentage of nitrogen is maximum.

Complete step by step answer:
Before answering this question, let us discuss what a solution is.
In chemistry, we define a solution as a homogeneous mixture of two or more solutes in a solvent. Solute is the substance which dissolves to form a homogeneous solution. Solvent is the liquid in which the solute is dissolving.
Generally, we describe a solution as a liquid. But, there can be gaseous solutions too. If the solvent is a gas and other gases are dissolved in it then it is a gaseous solution.
Now, let us discuss the air. We know that the air around us is a mixture of several gases like nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide and other noble gases.
Any mixture which is uniform i.e. composition does not vary from one region to another, and the components are in the same phases which do not remain separate from each other with identifiable properties are termed as a homogeneous mixture.
Now in air we do not find any specific identifiable change in phase, it is uniform all over and its components are in a single phase. Also, air consists of 80% nitrogen and it can be considered as the solvent and other gases like oxygen, carbon dioxide and other noble gases are considered as the solutes.
Therefore, we can say that air is considered as a solution. Not a liquid solution but a gaseous solution and this is the required answer.

Note: Generally we do not consider air as a solution but a mixture. In a solution, the particles interact with each other whereas in air there is no interaction between the atoms of different component gases. So in chemistry, it is appropriate to consider air as a mixture and not a solution.

  1. Academic Questions
  2. Chemistry Questions
  3. Is Air A Mixture Compound Or Element

Is air a solution or mixture

Air is a mixture but not compound. Its constituents can be separated. For example: oxygen, nitrogen etc. by physical process. Air shows properties same as the constituent gases present in it. Air does not have a fixed formula.

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Is the air a solution?

Air is a solution made up of many gases. The diagram shows what percentage of air is made up of each gas. There is more nitrogen than any other gas in air, so it is considered the solvent in an air solution.

Is air example of solution?

The term solution is commonly applied to the liquid state of matter, but solutions of gases and solids are possible. Air, for example, is a solution consisting chiefly of oxygen and nitrogen with trace amounts of several other gases, and brass is a solution composed of copper and zinc.

Is a mixture of air?

Air is a mixture of different gases and dust particles. Percentages wise distribution of different gases are: Nitrogen - 78%, Oxygen - 21%, Argon - 0.9% and remaining portion is occupied by various other gases like, carbon dioxide, neon, helium, sulphur dioxide etc. Air also contains water vapour.

What type of solution is air?

The air is a natural gas-gas solution.