which gas makes up the majority of earth’s atmosphere
Which gas makes up the majority of Earth’s atmosphere?
Answer: The gas that makes up the majority of Earth’s atmosphere is nitrogen.
Composition of Earth’s Atmosphere:
The Earth’s atmosphere is composed of several gases in varying proportions. The primary constituents are as follows:
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Nitrogen (N₂): Approximately 78% of the Earth’s atmosphere is nitrogen. Nitrogen is an inert gas, meaning it does not easily react with other substances. This property makes it a stable component of the atmosphere.
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Oxygen (O₂): Oxygen makes up about 21% of the atmosphere. It is essential for the survival of most life forms on Earth as it is required for respiration.
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Argon (Ar): Argon, a noble gas, constitutes about 0.93% of the atmosphere. Like nitrogen, argon is inert and does not readily react with other elements.
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Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): Carbon dioxide is present in much smaller amounts, around 0.04%. Despite its small proportion, CO₂ plays a significant role in the greenhouse effect and is crucial for photosynthesis in plants.
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Other Gases: The remaining fraction of the atmosphere is made up of trace amounts of other gases, including neon, helium, methane, krypton, and hydrogen.
Importance of Nitrogen:
Nitrogen is crucial for various biological processes. It is a key component of amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA). However, atmospheric nitrogen (N₂) is not directly usable by most living organisms. It must first be converted into compounds like ammonia (NH₃) or nitrate (NO₃⁻) through a process called nitrogen fixation, which can be carried out by certain bacteria and industrial processes.
Conclusion:
In summary, nitrogen is the gas that makes up the majority of Earth’s atmosphere, accounting for about 78% of the total. This dominance of nitrogen plays a vital role in maintaining the stability and functionality of the atmospheric composition, supporting life and various ecological processes on Earth.