Determine the oxygen content of the air

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The oxygen content of the air can be determined with measuring devices. But there are also ways and means of detecting oxygen in an experiment and determining its content in the air. These instructions provide tips on the subject.

Many experiments may only be carried out in the laboratory.
Many experiments may only be carried out in the laboratory.

What you need:

  • a tea light
  • a big glass
  • Pen and paper
  • stopwatch

Measure the oxygen content with instruments

  • There are measuring devices that can determine the oxygen content of the air. These are not to be confused with so-called oximeters, which are responsible for measuring the oxygen content in the blood.
  • The measuring devices, which can determine the oxygen in the air, are available in different versions, for both lay and professional users. The devices measure with a probe down to the percentage decimal range. Look for a cheap model on the internet.
  • Such measuring devices are relatively expensive, however, with prices starting at € 200 for the entry-level model. So see if you can borrow this somewhere.

Perform a test with oxygen in the air

You can also use a small experiment to demonstrate and even determine the oxygen content of the air. All you need is a tea light, a large glass, a stopwatch, and pen and paper.

  1. Light the tealight and wait until it burns properly.
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  2. Then put the glass over the tea light and start the stopwatch.
  3. Wait until the flame is completely extinguished. Make a note of the time.
  4. Do other experiments, for example with smaller glasses or a cheese dome.
  5. You can now evaluate your results and see which vessel was used to smother the flame faster or slower.

The oxygen content is not the same everywhere

  • The oxygen content of the air is not the same everywhere. When one speaks of "thin air", one generally means air at high altitudes, which contains less oxygen. This is why you are out of breath faster in the mountains, for example, as you take in less oxygen with each breath than in the valley.
  • The rumor that warm air contains less oxygen than cold air is not true. Especially in summer, when the temperature is still relatively high at night, some people have trouble sleeping and feel as though they are breathing less oxygen.

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