Question

Nitrogen makes up what percentage of the atmosphere? A) \(21 \%\) C) \(78 \%\) B) \(1 \%\) D) \(90 \%\)

Short answer

78%, which is option C.

Step-by-step solution

Recall the Composition of Earth's Atmosphere

To solve this problem, you need to recollect the basic composition of Earth's atmosphere. The main gases in the atmosphere are nitrogen, oxygen, and argon, with nitrogen being the most abundant.

Identify the Percentage of Nitrogen

Nitrogen constitutes a significant portion of Earth's atmosphere. The exact percentage is approximately 78%.

Compare Options with Known Information

Look at the given options and compare them to the known percentage of nitrogen in the atmosphere: - Option A: 21% - Option C: 78% - Option B: 1% - Option D: 90% The correct percentage of nitrogen, 78%, matches option C.

Conclude with the Correct Answer

Based on the comparison in Step 3, the correct answer is C) 78%, as it matches the known atmospheric composition of nitrogen.

Key concepts

Nitrogen Percentage

In the Earth's atmosphere, nitrogen is the most plentiful gas. This key element is present at approximately 78% of the total atmospheric composition.
This high percentage of nitrogen is critical as it plays essential roles in the Earth's ecosystem.

• Nitrogen makes up proteins in all living things, a crucial building block of life.
• Nitrogen cycle: It involves the conversion of nitrogen into different forms which living organisms can use.

The fact that nitrogen makes up such a large portion of the atmosphere affects climate and weather systems. Its stable nature means it doesn’t react easily, offering a balanced environment for life to thrive.

Earth's Atmosphere

The Earth's atmosphere is a complex mixture of gases that surrounds our planet.
It acts as a protective shield, maintaining climate balance and supporting life.
Let’s break down its layers and functions:

• Troposphere: The lowest layer where we live, containing most of the atmospheric mass.
• Stratosphere: Contains the ozone layer, which absorbs and scatters the solar ultraviolet radiation.
• Mesosphere: Burns up meteoroids entering Earth from space, visible as shooting stars.
• Thermosphere: A region with very thin air, where auroras occur.
• Exosphere: The outermost layer, gradually thinning into space.

The atmosphere's composition not only affects weather but also influences communication systems by allowing sound waves to travel and radio waves to bounce.

Main Gases

The gases that construct Earth's atmosphere are primarily made up of three main components:
nitrogen, oxygen, and argon. Each plays a vital role in keeping the atmosphere balanced and supportive of life.

• Nitrogen (78%): As previously mentioned, nitrogen is dominant, helping regulate processes like the nitrogen cycle.
• Oxygen (21%): The second most abundant gas, crucial for respiration in animals and necessary for combustion.
• Argon (0.93%): Though much less in quantity, it is essential for its role in preserving the balance and serving as filler gas.

In addition to these, trace amounts of other gases like carbon dioxide, neon, and methane exist. The fine balance among these gases shapes the atmospheric properties and supports life by maintaining conditions necessary for water cycles and climate patterns.