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  • Atmospheric Gases: Composition & Importance of Earth's Air
    The Earth's atmosphere is primarily composed of:

    Major Gases:

    * Nitrogen (N2): 78.08% - Nitrogen is the most abundant gas in the atmosphere, and it plays a crucial role in plant growth.

    * Oxygen (O2): 20.95% - Essential for respiration and many other biological processes.

    * Argon (Ar): 0.93% - A noble gas with little chemical activity.

    Trace Gases:

    * Carbon Dioxide (CO2): 0.04% - Plays a vital role in the greenhouse effect, regulating Earth's temperature.

    * Neon (Ne): 0.0018% - A noble gas.

    * Helium (He): 0.0005% - A noble gas.

    * Methane (CH4): 0.00018% - A greenhouse gas, contributing to climate change.

    * Krypton (Kr): 0.00011% - A noble gas.

    * Hydrogen (H2): 0.00005% - The lightest element.

    * Ozone (O3): 0.000004% - A powerful absorber of ultraviolet radiation, protecting life on Earth.

    * Water Vapor (H2O): Variable - The amount of water vapor in the atmosphere varies greatly depending on location and weather conditions.

    Other Gases:

    * Xenon (Xe): Trace amounts.

    * Nitrous Oxide (N2O): Trace amounts - A greenhouse gas.

    * Sulfur Dioxide (SO2): Trace amounts - A major air pollutant.

    * Carbon Monoxide (CO): Trace amounts - A poisonous gas.

    It's important to note that the percentages of these gases can vary slightly depending on location and altitude.

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