Earth’s atmosphere is composed of about 78 percent nitrogen, 21 percent oxygen, 0.9 percent argon, and 0.1 percent other gases. Trace amounts of carbon dioxide, methane, water vapor, and neon are some of the other gases that make up the remaining 0.1 percent.

As a major component of the hydrologic cycle, the atmosphere cleans and replenishes Earth’s fresh water supply, and refills the lakes, rivers, and oceans habitats for life (Figure below).

Name the three solid particles that occur in the atmosphere? The solid particles that occur in the atmosphere are dust, pollen and salt.

Any natural substance that humans use can be considered a natural resource. Oil, coal, natural gas, metals, stone and sand are natural resources. Other natural resources are air, sunlight, soil and water. Animals, birds, fish and plants are natural resources as well.

Human activities on Earth’s surface can create changes in the atmosphere. Pollution, acid rain, and holes in the ozone disrupt how the atmosphere normally functions.

Three Ways That the Atmosphere Helps Living Things Survive on Earth

• Protection. The atmosphere blocks out harmful rays from the sun.
• Water. The Earth’s atmosphere contains water.
• Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide. Life on Earth needs the atmosphere to breath.
• Other Benefits. The atmosphere contains a large amount of nitrogen.

Nitrogen and oxygen are by far the most common; dry air is composed of about 78% nitrogen (N2) and about 21% oxygen (O2). Argon, carbon dioxide (CO2), and many other gases are also present in much lower amounts; each makes up less than 1% of the atmosphere’s mixture of gases.

The atmosphere protects living things from the Sun’s most harmful rays. Gases reflect or absorb the strongest rays of sunlight (Figure below). The atmosphere shields Earth from the most harmful solar rays.

The atmosphere is an important part of what makes Earth livable. It blocks some of the Sun’s dangerous rays from reaching Earth. It traps heat, making Earth a comfortable temperature. And the oxygen within our atmosphere is essential for life.

Not only does it contain the oxygen we need to live, but it also protects us from harmful ultraviolet solar radiation. It creates the pressure without which liquid water couldn’t exist on our planet’s surface. And it warms our planet and keeps temperatures habitable for our living Earth.

Gases in Earth’s Atmosphere Nitrogen and oxygen are by far the most common; dry air is composed of about 78% nitrogen (N2) and about 21% oxygen (O2). Argon, carbon dioxide (CO2), and many other gases are also present in much lower amounts; each makes up less than 1% of the atmosphere’s mixture of gases.

The primitive reducing atmosphere of earth was rich in water vapour, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and hydrogen. The primitive reducing atmosphere of earth was rich in water vapour, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and hydrogen. An oxygen was absent in the primitive atmosphere.

water vapor

According to NASA, the gases in Earth’s atmosphere include:

• Nitrogen — 78 percent.
• Oxygen — 21 percent.
• Argon — 0.93 percent.
• Carbon dioxide — 0.04 percent.
• Trace amounts of neon, helium, methane, krypton and hydrogen, as well as water vapor.

The three most abundant gases (the ones with the highest percentages) are all elements:

• 78% nitrogen, N.
• 21% oxygen, O.
• 0.9% argon, Ar.

Usually, the 4 most abundant gases are:

• Nitrogen (N2) – 78.084%
• Oxygen (O2) – 20.9476%
• Argon (Ar) – 0.934%
• Carbon dioxide (CO2) 0.0314%

The table indicates that nitrogen and oxygen are the main components of the atmosphere by volume. Together these two gases make up approximately 99% of the dry atmosphere. Both of these gases have very important associations with life.

Carbon dioxide and oxygen are the gases in the atmosphere that are needed for life.

mesosphere

stratosphere

mantle

troposphere

At the bottom of the mesosphere is the stratopause, the boundary between the mesosphere and the stratosphere below. Weather balloons and other aircraft cannot fly high enough to reach the mesosphere. Satellites orbit above the mesosphere and cannot directly measure traits of this layer.

Question: What is the highest altitude an airplane can fly? Answer: The highest commercial airliner altitude was 60,000 feet by Concorde. The highest military air-breathing engine airplane was the SR-71 — about 90,000 feet.

around 42,000 feet