Difference between revisions of "Air"
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== Description == | == Description == | ||
| − | The common name for the natural mixture of gases surrounding the earth. Air, or atmosphere, predominately contains [ | + | The common name for the natural mixture of gases surrounding the earth. Air, or atmosphere, predominately contains [[nitrogen|nitrogen]] (75-78 %) and [[oxygen|oxygen]] (21-23 %). Trace levels of other gases ([[argon|argon]], [[carbon%20dioxide|carbon dioxide]], [[neon|neon]], [[helium|helium]], [[methane|methane]], etc.) are also present along with varying amounts of water vapor. The index of refraction of air is 1.0003. Air is the primary source for the manufacture of pure gases (oxygen, nitrogen, etc.). It is also used as a coolant, as a blowing agent, and as a filler in flotation devices. |
== Synonyms and Related Terms == | == Synonyms and Related Terms == | ||
Revision as of 08:42, 7 January 2014
Description
The common name for the natural mixture of gases surrounding the earth. Air, or atmosphere, predominately contains Nitrogen (75-78 %) and Oxygen (21-23 %). Trace levels of other gases (Argon, Carbon dioxide, Neon, Helium, Methane, etc.) are also present along with varying amounts of water vapor. The index of refraction of air is 1.0003. Air is the primary source for the manufacture of pure gases (oxygen, nitrogen, etc.). It is also used as a coolant, as a blowing agent, and as a filler in flotation devices.
Synonyms and Related Terms
Luft (Deut.); air (Fr.); ar (Port.)
| Melting Point | -216.2 to -191.3 |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.00 |
| Refractive Index | 1.0003 |
| Boiling Point | -194.3 |
Hazards and Safety
Noncombustible; but necessary for combustion.
Authority
- The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998
- G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971
- Susan E. Schur, Conservation Terminology: A review of Past & Current Nomenclature of Materials, Technology and Conservation, Spring (p.34-39); Summer (p.35-38); Fall (p.25-36), 1985
- Art and Architecture Thesaurus Online, http://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/aat/, J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, 2000
- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, at http://www.wikipedia.com Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air (Accessed Mar. 1, 2006)