We were taught is school that we are breathing in molecules from Caesar’s last breath, if this is true it should hold true for every person that ever lived, is our atmosphere really that fluid?

Question

We were taught is school that we are breathing in molecules from Caesar’s last breath, if this is true it should hold true for every person that ever lived, is our atmosphere really that fluid?

In: 27

Answer 1

It could or could not be true. Breath contains oxygen, CO2, nitrogen, hydrogen. Processes on earth, inorganic or not, could absorb and trap these elements in the way they do. Plants absorb CO2 and capture the carbon to make cellulose to make their wood. Nitrogen could be captured by plants and put into the dirt, like clover does. These are a few examples. Is Augustus Caesar’s last breath floating around as a part of fluid air that can be inspired by you or me? Unknown. But those molecules that were in his lungs are most likely somewhere on earth? Yes.

There could be losses of air in space via shuttles and Space Station, etc. Oxygen oxidizes things, metals, iron oxide, rust that could fall to the ground and just sit there.