Difference between Wind and Air
Wind and air are two words commonly used as synonyms despite not being synonymous. Although both words refer to similar concepts, they are actually completely different concepts.
On the one hand, air refers to the colorless mixture of gases that makes up the Earth’s atmosphere. This mixture remains around the Earth thanks to gravity. Life on the planet is largely possible in the air. On the other hand, wind is the mass movement of air within the atmosphere. Technically, the wind is the compensation of the differences between atmospheric pressures at two different points.
Air |
Wind |
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|---|---|---|
| Definition | Air is the combination of gases from which the Earth’s atmosphere is made up. Among the main elements that are part of this mixture are oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. | Wind is defined as the current of air produced by natural causes within the earth’s atmosphere. Some of these causes can be changes in atmospheric pressure and temperature. |
| Etymology | The word air comes from the Latin “aer-ӗris” , which in turn comes from the Greek “ἀήρ” (air) which indicates movement, and means upwards. | On the other hand, wind comes from the Latin “ventus” . This word has retained its meaning over the years. |
| physical properties | Odorless, colorless and tasteless as long as there are no pollution particles (smog) in it. In addition, it occupies a place in space and expands and contracts, at a higher temperature it occupies a greater volume and rises. On the contrary, if it cools, its volume decreases and it descends. Its density is low. The higher the altitude, the lower the density. Air does not have a defined volume: it fills empty spaces evenly. |
Wind, being made of air, shares the same physical characteristics as air. However, as this is an air current, it has speed, strength and direction. According to these characteristics, it can be classified into various types of wind. Among these are gusts, breezes, hurricanes, tornadoes, planetary, regional, etc. |
| Components | Air is mainly made up of oxygen, nitrogen and argon. There are other components, although in smaller amounts, such as water vapour, CO or carbon dioxide, methane, etc. In a much smaller dimension than the previous ones, you can also find pollen, dust, ash, and spores. | Wind is made up of air. Although it can also “carry” other elements, such as clouds (which makes it a vital part of the hydrological cycle), seeds, pollution, etc. |
