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 once we remove the force.
On the other hand, a piece of clay or dough cannot completely regain its original shape once 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.

              Image 4.3 (a): Inserting piston completely into the syringe    

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.
 
                                      Image 4.3 (b): Pulling back the piston

What happens?                                                                                

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