Air – a mixture of the gases oxygen and nitrogen

Principle

In this experiment the  composition of air is investigated. Therefor soild copper is heated on air. Copper combines with the oxygen of air and forms copper oxide. If this reaction is performed in a closed apparatus and the air volume is measured before and after the experiment, the difference of the measured volume shows the oxygen content of the air.

Learning objectives

• Composition of air
• Oxidation reaction