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By mole fraction (i.e., by quantity of molecules), dry air contains 78.08% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, 0.93% argon, 0.03% carbon dioxide, and small amounts of other trace gases. Air also contains a variable amount of water vapor , on average around 1% at sea level, and 0.4% over the entire atmosphere.
Where does the nitrogen in the air come from? - BBC Science Focus Magazine.
The most abundant naturally occurring gas is nitrogen (N 2 ), which makes up about 78% of air. Oxygen (O 2) is the second most abundant gas at about 21%. The inert gas argon (Ar) is the third most abundant gas at 0.93%.
- Nitrogen (78.1%) While nitrogen is the most abundant gas in Earth’s atmosphere, it only makes up 0.005% of Earth’s crust in weight (David Darling). Nitrogen is incredibly stable and requires a lot of energy to change forms.
- Oxygen (20.9%) Earth has the conditions for life to flourish. Oxygen is essential to human life as our lungs respire oxygen and uses it in metabolism.
- Argon (0.93%) As an inert gas, argon doesn’t bond or do much in the atmosphere. This is why there’s no argon cycle. But we have nitrogen and carbon because of their ability to bond with other elements.
- Carbon Dioxide (0.04%) Carbon is the most important element for building molecules essential for living things. As you can see from the long-term carbon cycle, carbon takes up various forms such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and glucose (C6H12O6).
Jun 28, 2024 · Learn about the composition of air, the mixture of gases that comprises the Earth's atmosphere. Find out the percentage of nitrogen and oxygen in air, and the role of other gases such as water vapour, carbon dioxide, and ozone.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Apr 23, 2018 · Nitrogen is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere. Air is composed of 78 percent nitrogen. Oxygen accounts for 21 percent, and the inert noble gas argon makes up 0.9 percent of the air. The remaining 0.1 percent consists of several trace gases. Most of the 0.1 percent is carbon dioxide.
Jan 10, 2020 · Learn about nitrogen, the most common gas in the atmosphere, and its discovery, uses, and effects. Find out how nitrogen cycles, fixes, and pollutes in nature and human activities.
