Friday, February 11, 2011

Gases


A gas is one of the three states of matter .

Gases fact file
Gases can be compressed (this means they are squashy)
Gases flow easily
Gases always completely fill any container they are placed in
The most common gas is called air
Some gases, like methane, burn easily and are used as fuels for heating

This table shows the names and uses of some common gases
Name of gas
Some useful facts
Uses
Air is the gas all around us.
It is a mixture of several different gases, mainly nitrogen and oxygen.

Without air we cannot breath and fires won’t burn.
It supports balloons and aeroplanes.

Natural Gas
Natural gas comes from the ground.
It burns easily (flammable)
Natural gas is used as a fuel for heating.

Oxygen
About 1/5 of the air is oxygen.
Without oxygen we cannot breath and fires wont burn.
Oxygen is produced by plants (during photosynthesis).

Oxygen is used in hospitals to help us breathe.
It also used in welding and as rocket fuel.
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is needed by plants when they make food (during photosynthesis).
All living organisms breath out carbon dioxide when they make energy (from food).

Carbon dioxide is the gas in fizzy drinks. It is also used in fire extinguishers.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is the main gas in air.
(about 80%)

Nitrogen is used to make plant food (fertilizer) and is also in explosives.

Water vapour
Water vapour is formed when water evaporates. There is lots of water vapour in the air we breathe out.

When water vapour in the air cools down it forms clouds.
Helium
There is a small amount of helium in the air.
It is a very light gas and is used in balloons to help them float

In balloons to help them float
Argon
There is a small amount of argon in the air.

Argon is the gas inside electric light bulbs

Quick test
Which gas is used up when things burn? 
Which can get compressed tghe most, a solid, liquid or gas? 
Name the most common gas ? 
What gas is needed by plants to make food? 
What gas is often put in fire extinuishers? 
Air does not weigh anything. True or False ? 

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