Question

List the two most abundant gases in the atmosphere. List three other, less abundant gases. List three nongaseous components of natural air.

Short answer

The most abundant gases are nitrogen and oxygen. Less abundant gases include argon, carbon dioxide, and neon. Nongaseous components are water vapor, dust particles, and microorganisms.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Most Abundant Gases

The Earth's atmosphere is composed predominantly of two gases. The first one is nitrogen, which makes up approximately 78% of the atmosphere. The second one is oxygen, accounting for about 21%.

List Other Less Abundant Gases

Besides nitrogen and oxygen, the atmosphere contains other gases in smaller amounts. Three less abundant gases include argon, carbon dioxide, and neon. Argon makes up about 0.93%, carbon dioxide varies but is roughly 0.04%, and neon is present in trace amounts at about 0.0018%.

Identify Nongaseous Components

In addition to gases, natural air contains several nongaseous components. These include water vapor (which varies greatly in concentration), dust particles from soil and other sources, and microscopic organisms like bacteria and fungal spores.

Key concepts

Nitrogen

Nitrogen is the most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere. It makes up around 78% of the air we breathe. This high concentration of nitrogen helps provide a stable environment for life on Earth. Despite this abundance, nitrogen does not readily react with other substances. This lack of reactivity is due to the strong triple bonds between nitrogen atoms, making it inert under standard conditions.
The presence of nitrogen in the atmosphere serves various purposes. It acts as a diluent, meaning it decreases the concentration of oxygen and carbon dioxide. This reduces the chances of fires igniting spontaneously. Additionally, nitrogen is essential for life as it is a key component of amino acids and nucleic acids, which are building blocks of living organisms. Although most living organisms cannot use atmospheric nitrogen directly, specialized bacteria in the soil can convert nitrogen into a usable form through a process called nitrogen fixation.

Oxygen

Oxygen is the second most abundant gas in the Earth's atmosphere, comprising about 21% of it. This gas is crucial for life, as it plays a vital role in cellular respiration. Cellular respiration is a process that cells use to convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water.
Oxygen in the atmosphere is replenished mainly through photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants, algae, and some bacteria take in carbon dioxide and sunlight to produce oxygen and glucose. This process helps maintain the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, supporting life.

• Essential for breathing and energy production in cells
• Contributes to the processes that form ozone in the upper atmosphere, which protects life from harmful UV rays

Trace Gases

Trace gases refer to other gases present in much smaller quantities than nitrogen and oxygen. These include argon, carbon dioxide, and neon, among others.

• Argon: Argon is a noble gas, which makes it non-reactive and stable. It makes up about 0.93% of the atmosphere. It is mainly used in lighting and welding because of its inert properties.
• Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Although it comprises a small percentage of the atmosphere (about 0.04%), carbon dioxide is essential for photosynthesis and regulating the Earth's temperature through the greenhouse effect.
• Neon: Another noble gas, neon is present in trace amounts (around 0.0018%). It is famous for lighting up neon signs due to its bright glow when electrically charged.

Nongaseous Components

Aside from gases, the atmosphere also contains nongaseous components. These are crucial in influencing weather, climate, and air quality.
The most well-known among these is water vapor, which varies greatly in concentration. It plays a key role in weather patterns and can significantly alter the temperature through processes like evaporation and condensation. Dust particles are another component and originate from sources like soil erosion, volcanic eruptions, and pollution. These particles can affect climate by scattering sunlight and serving as nuclei for cloud formation. Lastly, microscopic life forms, including bacteria and fungal spores, are also part of the atmosphere. These organisms can travel with the wind and influence ecosystems by dispersing vital nutrients or causing diseases. Understanding these nongaseous components helps in understanding air quality and the potential for changes in climate dynamics effectively.