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What’s in the air you breathe? - Amy Hrdina and Jesse Kroll

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21,202 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

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Take a deep breath. In a single intake of air, your lungs swell with roughly 25 sextillion molecules, ranging from days-old compounds, to those formed billions of years in the past. In fact, many of the molecules you’re breathing were likely exhaled by members of ancient civilizations and innumerable humans since. But what exactly are we all breathing? Amy Hrdina and Jesse Kroll investigate.

There are oxidants in the atmosphere that get formed from oxygen and sunlight, so there is a lot of oxidation happening during the daytime. What do you think happens to pollution that gets emitted at night?

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Amy Hrdina, Jesse Kroll
  • Director Sharon Colman
  • Narrator Alexandra Panzer
  • Music Miguel d'Oliveira
  • Sound Designer Miguel d'Oliveira
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
  • Production Coordinator Abdallah Ewis
  • Script Producer Alex Gendler
  • Fact-Checker Jennifer Nam

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