Is air like a spring?

When we pull a spring, it gets elongated and if we push it, it is compressed. A spring always tries to get back to its original position. It does not stay in an elongated or a compressed position after the force is removed.

On the other hand, a piece of clay or dough - it cannot completely regain its original shape after we deform it.

Let us try to see if air behaves like a spring or like a piece of clay.
 
Material(s) Required:
1. One plastic syringe without the needle.

Procedure:
1. Take a plastic syringe without the needle.
2. Insert the piston completely into the syringe.
3. Now block the opening of the syringe with your finger.
4. Pull back the piston fully and release it. What do you see?
5. Now take off the finger from the opening and pull back the piston  completely.
6. Again block the opening firmly with your finger.
7. Push in the piston as much as you can and release it. What happens?

                                                         

Image 4.3 (a): Piston completely inserted into the syringe             Image 4.3 (b): Pulling back the piston
 

Can we say that air is somewhat similar to a spring?