Skip to main content

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

373,408 Views

21,202 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

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.

We’ve learned that smog can create haze, which reduces visibility. How do you think the secondary particles make it difficult to see?

Sign in to answer question

About TED-Ed Animations

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

More from Getting Under Our Skin