Last day one of my colleague was absent from school. I engaged his class. His students asked me about my favorite subject and l said "Science". They asked me a reason and replied that "science" fascinates me. I love the way Earth revolves around sun and moon do the same with earth. I told them some fascinating science facts like "There are more than 4000 of Exo-planets scientist had found. Some of them are likely habitable similar to earth. They asked me that "what makes a planet to be habitable?" And I said "Atmosphere". A proper mixture of gases in the air. The most important of them is Oxygen.
We all know how much oxygen is important for our life. And not only for humans but overall oxygen is mandatory for the existence of life on earth. We only survive here because of a proper percentage of oxygen in our atmosphere. 21% of oxygen to be exact.
One of a student asked me that "why we only need 21% of oxygen in air?" He went on "why not double or 100% oxygen in the air?"
Dear boy, As I said earlier that we need a proper mixture of gases in air in order to survive. If any of the gas in the air changes its percentage, it will be devastating. For example as you asked "what will happen if oxygen in the atmosphere become double or 100% alone in the air." Then listen carefully.
What if you struck a match stick and suddenly the whole area covered with fire? Or what if you were going somewhere and suddenly some giant insects attack on you? Seems devastating, Right? But this is what will happen if oxygen become double or 100% pure oxygen in the air. Let me tell you one more interesting fact. "Millions of years ago there was 39% of oxygen in the air." Yes.
To consume that 39% of oxygen the humans and animals were of great size. Yes, there are many pictures and videos which shows the fossil fuels of ancient humans. They were vary huge in size. We are not tall enough because of Evaluation. Similarly, Dinosaurs and Mammoth are the examples of Giant Animals.
With the time, when percentage of oxygen in atmosphere decreased, it was obligatory for living thing's trachea system to decrease in size which results in decreasing their size too.
Ok, that was past. But what if now oxygen level in air increases to 100% ?
Actually, Oxygen is so obligatory for the our brain too. Too takes energy from oxygen. By inhaling more than the need oxygen will make free radicals in our blood. Free radical is an unstable atom which damages body cells. It can cause Cancer and Alzheimer. Not only this, more than the need oxygen can cause wrinkles on our body and our hairs will turn white rapidly. A 20y teen will look like 50. This happens only if we will ne able to survive in that condition.
Further, if oxygen increases to 100% in air, we will feel a lot of pain in our chest. The amount of liquid in our lungs will increase. This will cause our head to ache. Might be our brain will be able to handle this stress and become unconscious... or maybe die.
That was all about what will happen to humans. But maybe insects will survive. According to some research, when oxygen was 39% in air, millions years ago, the insects were very huge.
Their trachea system is build for this. They can inhale the oxygen and can release the unnecessary oxygen. And with the time they will increase their trachea system in order to use all oxygen. Increasing in trachea system will cause their to increase in size. And we will have Giant Insects with the size of same like Dinosaurs..
I think our body will get accustomed to the 100% oxygen, no? I think that 100% will be okay too since the population is increasing and increasing.