Question

The most abundant gas in the Earth’s atmosphere is

• A. Oxygen
• B. Nitrogen
• C. Carbon Dioxide
• D. Argon

Hint:

A common misconception is that Oxygen is the most abundant gas because it is vital for human respiration.
In reality, the atmosphere is nearly four-fifths Nitrogen, which is chemically inert under normal surface conditions.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
This is a general knowledge and environmental science question regarding the chemical composition of Earth's atmosphere.

Step 2: Key Formulas and approach:
Review the standard percentages of the major gases that make up clean, dry air in Earth's atmosphere.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
$\bullet$ The Earth's atmosphere is composed of a mixture of different gases.
$\bullet$ Nitrogen (\(N_2\)) is by far the most abundant, making up approximately \(78.08\%\) of the dry atmosphere by volume.
$\bullet$ Oxygen (\(O_2\)) is the second most abundant gas, accounting for about \(20.95\%\).
$\bullet$ Argon (\(Ar\)) is the third most abundant, making up approximately \(0.93\%\).
$\bullet$ Carbon Dioxide (\(CO_2\)) is a trace gas, currently constituting around \(0.04\%\) (approximately \(400\text{ ppm}\)) of the atmosphere.

Step 4: Final Answer:
The gas with the highest abundance is Nitrogen, corresponding to Option (B).