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: Recall the composition of Earth's atmosphere.
Earth's atmosphere is a mixture of several gases in fixed proportions. Knowing the approximate percentages is key here.
Step 2: Compare the options by percentage.
Nitrogen makes up about 78% of the atmosphere. Oxygen accounts for about 21%. Argon is roughly 0.93%, and Carbon Dioxide is only about 0.04%.
Step 3: Identify the correct answer.
Nitrogen is by far the most abundant gas in Earth's atmosphere, making up nearly four-fifths of all the air we breathe every day.
\[ \boxed{\text{Nitrogen}} \]