CBSE Class 6 Science: NCERT Solutions for Air Around Us

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 6 PDF

This chapter, "Air Around Us," for CBSE Class 6 Science, delves into the fundamental nature of air. The NCERT Solutions provide clear explanations and step-by-step answers to exercises covering the composition of air, including essential gases like nitrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide, and the presence of water vapor and dust particles. It highlights the critical role of oxygen in respiration and carbon dioxide in photosynthesis. The solutions also demonstrate how air supports burning, is dissolved in water, and how its presence allows for various activities like wind power and flight. Understanding these concepts is crucial for students to grasp the importance of air in our environment and its role in supporting life. These solutions are designed to aid students in understanding the chapter's core concepts and preparing effectively for their exams.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 6
Subject	Science
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 15: Air Around Us

Chapter summary

Chapter 15, "Air Around Us," for Class 6 Science, focuses on the composition and properties of air. The NCERT Solutions cover key topics such as the gases present in air (nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide), the role of air in respiration and photosynthesis, and experimental proofs for air supporting burning and being dissolved in water. It also explains phenomena like cotton wool shrinking in water and the function of the atmosphere. The exercises reinforce the understanding of air's vital role in various natural processes and human activities.

Learning outcomes

Understand the composition of air and its main components.
Explain the importance of oxygen for respiration.
Describe how air supports the process of burning.
Demonstrate that air is dissolved in water.
Recognize the role of carbon dioxide in photosynthesis.
Identify various activities made possible by the presence of air.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Composition of Air
Gases in Air (Nitrogen, Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide)
Water Vapour and Dust Particles in Air
Respiration
Photosynthesis
Air Supports Burning
Air Dissolved in Water
Air Occupies Space
Atmosphere
Wind Power
Gas Exchange between Plants and Animals

Important topics

Composition of Air
Role of Oxygen in Respiration
Role of Carbon Dioxide in Photosynthesis
Air Supports Burning
Air Dissolved in Water
Gas Exchange Cycle

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

What is the composition of air?

Solution: Air is a mixture of several gases, along with some water vapour and dust particles. The primary components are nitrogen and oxygen, which together constitute approximately 99% of the air. The remaining 1% is made up of small amounts of other gases, such as carbon dioxide, and variable amounts of water vapour and suspended dust particles.

Question 2

Which gas in the atmosphere is essential for respiration?

Solution: The gas in the atmosphere that is absolutely essential for the respiration process in most living beings is oxygen. Respiration is the process by which organisms convert food into energy, and oxygen plays a crucial role in this conversion.

Question 3

How will you prove that air supports burning?

Solution: To demonstrate that air supports burning, you can conduct the following experiment:

Place a burning candle upright in a tray containing a small amount of water.
Carefully cover the burning candle with a glass jar, ensuring the rim of the jar is submerged in the water to create an airtight seal.

As the candle burns, it consumes the oxygen inside the jar. The water level inside the jar will rise to occupy the space left by the consumed oxygen. Eventually, when the oxygen is depleted, the flame will extinguish. This observation proves that air, specifically the oxygen component within it, is necessary for burning.

Question 4

How will you show that air is dissolved in water?

Solution: You can show that air is dissolved in water by performing this simple experiment:

Take some water in a glass vessel or beaker.
Gently heat the water over a tripod stand.
Observe the inner surface of the vessel carefully as the water heats up, even before it reaches its boiling point.

You will notice small bubbles starting to rise from the bottom of the vessel and appear on the surface. These bubbles are formed by the air that was dissolved in the water escaping as the water gets warmer. This demonstrates the presence of dissolved air in water.

Question 5

Why does a lump of cotton wool shrink in water?

Solution: A lump of cotton wool contains a significant amount of air trapped within its fibres. When the cotton wool is dipped into water, the water penetrates the fibres and replaces the trapped air. Since water is denser and the air pockets are filled, the cotton wool occupies less space and therefore appears to shrink.

Question 6

The layer of air around the earth is known as ______.

Solution: The layer of air that surrounds the Earth is known as the atmosphere.

Question 7

The component of air used by green plants to make their food, is ______.

Solution: The component of air that green plants utilize during the process of photosynthesis to prepare their food is carbon dioxide.

Question 8

List five activities that are possible due to the presence of air.

Solution: The presence of air makes numerous activities possible. Here are five examples:

Respiration: All living beings depend on the oxygen in the air for respiration to survive.
Photosynthesis: Green plants use carbon dioxide from the air to produce their food.
Burning: Air, particularly its oxygen content, is essential for the combustion of fuels and other substances.
Wind Power: Moving air (wind) can be harnessed to generate power using windmills.
Flight and Movement: Air provides the necessary medium and lift for aeroplanes, gliders, and parachutes to operate, and wind helps in sailing yachts. Air also aids in the scattering of seeds and pollen.

Question 9

How do plants and animals help each other in the exchange of gases in the atmosphere?

Solution: Plants and animals are interdependent in the exchange of atmospheric gases. Animals inhale oxygen from the atmosphere and exhale carbon dioxide as a waste product of respiration. Conversely, green plants take in this carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and use it during photosynthesis to produce their food (glucose) and release oxygen back into the atmosphere. This continuous cycle ensures that the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are relatively maintained, with each group providing what the other needs.

Common mistakes

Confusing the roles of oxygen and carbon dioxide in respiration and photosynthesis.
Not understanding that air occupies space and has weight, leading to misconceptions about phenomena like cotton shrinking.
Difficulty in recalling the percentage composition of air.
Forgetting that air is a mixture and not a single substance.

Revision tips

Review the composition of air and the approximate percentages of its major gases.
Understand the experimental setups described to prove properties of air (support for burning, dissolved air).
Focus on the interdependence between plants and animals for gas exchange.
List and remember the various activities that rely on the presence of air.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What are the two main gases that make up approximately 99% of the air?

Q2. Which gas is essential for respiration by living beings?

Q3. What gas do green plants use from the atmosphere to make their food?

Q4. The experiment with a burning candle covered by a jar demonstrates that air:

Q5. When a lump of cotton wool shrinks in water, it shows that air:

Frequently asked questions

What is the main composition of air according to the NCERT Solutions for Class 6 Science?

Air is mainly composed of nitrogen and oxygen, which together make up about 99% of it. The remaining 1% consists of carbon dioxide, other gases, water vapour, and dust particles.

Why is oxygen important for living beings?

Oxygen is essential for respiration, the process by which living beings obtain energy from food. Without oxygen, most life forms cannot survive.

How can we prove that air supports burning?

By covering a burning candle with a glass jar. The flame will eventually go out as the oxygen inside the jar is consumed, demonstrating that air (specifically oxygen) is necessary for burning.

Does water contain air? How can this be shown?

Yes, water contains dissolved air. This can be shown by heating water in a vessel; bubbles of air will rise from the bottom before the water boils.

What is the role of plants and animals in the exchange of gases?

Animals take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide during respiration. Plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen during photosynthesis, thus helping to maintain the balance of these gases in the atmosphere.

What is the layer of air around the Earth called?

The layer of air surrounding the Earth is known as the atmosphere.

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