Which gas is most abundant in Earth's atmosphere?

Study for the North Carolina Grade 8 End-of-Grade Science Test. Prepare with multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Ace your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which gas is most abundant in Earth's atmosphere?

Explanation:
Nitrogen is the most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere. It makes up about 78% of the air by volume, which means it is the dominant component you’d measure in a sample of dry air. The next most common gas is oxygen, at roughly 21%. Gases like argon and carbon dioxide occur only in tiny amounts (argon around 0.9% and carbon dioxide about 0.04%), so nitrogen stands out as the largest fraction. This high abundance is why air is mostly nitrogen across the globe, with oxygen and the other gases present only in much smaller amounts.

Nitrogen is the most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere. It makes up about 78% of the air by volume, which means it is the dominant component you’d measure in a sample of dry air. The next most common gas is oxygen, at roughly 21%. Gases like argon and carbon dioxide occur only in tiny amounts (argon around 0.9% and carbon dioxide about 0.04%), so nitrogen stands out as the largest fraction. This high abundance is why air is mostly nitrogen across the globe, with oxygen and the other gases present only in much smaller amounts.

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