Forces of Change

Value of Air

Is this case EMPTY?

Not at all.

Is this cube EMPTY?

Not at all. It contains:

  • 5.2 cubic feet of nitrogen
  • 1.4 cubic feet of oxygen
  • 0.1 cubic feet of a combination of: argon, neon, helium, hydrogen, nitrous oxide, ozone, carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane

Weight of air in cube: 244 gm (8.6 oz)

Age: From one second to three billion years

Found: All around you

Value of individual gases:

  • Nitrogen: 14¢
  • Oxygen: 7¢
  • Neon: 56¢

Value of Clean Air: Priceless

clear cube of air
Photo courtesy iStockPhoto