Properties of Air and Air Pollution - Class 2 Notes & Olympiad Questions

What is Air

a) Air is all around us, and it is essential for all living things to survive.
b) Even though we can't see or touch air, we can feel its presence.
c) One way we can notice the air is through the movement of objects like tree leaves, which is caused by the wind.
d) The wind always blows in a specific direction, and when it gently moves, we call it a breeze.
e) However, when the wind is very strong and blows rapidly, it becomes a storm.
f) Storms have a lot of force and can even blow away things that get in their way. They can be dangerous and cause damage to trees, houses, crops, and vehicles, and can even make trees and poles fall.

Components of Air

Air is composed of various gases. It also contains water vapour, dust particles, smoke, and germs.

Water Vapour

When the sun heats up water in bodies of water, it changes into water vapour and mixes with the air.

Dust Particles

If you watch sunlight coming through a window, you might see tiny particles dancing around in the light, and those are dust particles present in the air.

Smoke

Factories, vehicles, and burning objects release smoke, which makes the air dirty, impure, and unsuitable for breathing.

Germs

Germs are extremely small living things that can make us ill, and they contribute to making the air impure. When a sick person sneezes or coughs, they release germs into the air.

Different Uses of Air

a) Plants, humans and animals need air to stay alive and healthy.
b) Birds are able to fly because they can move through the air.
c) We fill air into balloons, footballs, and cycle tires to make them full and ready to use.
d) Air is necessary for things to burn, like when we light a candle or start a fire.
e) Air can also help us move things, like when we blow on a pinwheel or sail a kite.

Properties of Air

1. Air helps things take on different shapes: When we chew bubble gum and blow air into it, it forms a bubble!

2. Air can fill up space: Air is all around us, even in places that look empty, like a glass or a room. It takes up space just like everything else.

3. Air is necessary for burning: Candles and a campfire need air to keep burning. If you cover a candle, it goes out because it can't get the air it needs to continue burning.

4. Air has weight: It might feel light, but when we blow up a flat football with air, it becomes heavier because the air adds to its weight.

5. Air can push things: When the wind blows, it can move objects like leaves on the ground or make windmills spin.

6. Air helps us hear sounds: When someone talks or when we listen to music, the sounds travel through the air and reach our ears, allowing us to hear them.

Air Pollution

a) Air pollution happens when dust and smoke from factories and cars make the air unhealthy and unsafe to breathe.
b) This polluted air can be harmful to plants, animals, and people.
c) When we breathe in this polluted air, it can make us sick. We might start coughing, sneezing, or have trouble breathing properly.
d) That's why it's important for us to take care of the air we breathe and try to reduce air pollution.

Different Methods to Stop Air Pollution

1. Use less car transportation: Try walking, biking, or taking public transportation when possible.

2. Plant trees: They help clean the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.

3. Recycle and reduce waste: When we recycle materials we reduce the need to make new things. This means less pollution from factories.

4. Avoid activities that can contribute to pollution, like burning leaves or using fire pits.

5. Talk to your friends, family, and classmates about air pollution. By raising awareness, we can encourage others to make positive changes too.