Your Turn
The gases that make up the atmosphere have many important effects on our planet, including regulating Earth's energy balance and maintaining a temperature that is suitable for life. Answer a few questions to test your knowledge of the chemical composition of the atmosphere.
What are the two most abundant gases in Earth’s atmosphere?
Click here to show answer
Nitrogen and oxygen are the most abundant gases in Earth’s atmosphere and together make up 99% of the atmosphere.
Provide two examples of gases found in trace amounts in the atmosphere.
Click here to show answer
Some examples of trace gases in the atmosphere are Ar, H2O, CO2, CH4, O3 and N2O.