
Atmosphere - Wikipedia
An atmosphere is a layer of gases that envelop an astronomical object, held in place by the gravity of the object. The name originates from Ancient Greek ἀτμός (atmós) 'vapour, steam' …
Atmosphere | Definition, Layers, & Facts | Britannica
6 days ago · Atmosphere, the gas and aerosol envelope that extends from the ocean, land, and ice-covered surface of a planet outward into space. The density of the atmosphere decreases …
What Is the Atmosphere? - Center for Science Education
Dry air is composed of about 78% nitrogen (N 2) and about 21% oxygen (O 2). The remaining less than 1% of the atmosphere is a mixture of gases, including argon (Ar) and carbon dioxide …
Atmosphere - National Geographic Society
One of the main components of Earth’s interdependent physical systems is the atmosphere. An atmosphere is made of the layers of gases surrounding a planet or other celestial body. …
The Atmosphere | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Jul 2, 2024 · Nitrogen dilutes oxygen and prevents rapid burning at the Earth's surface. Living things need it to make proteins. Oxygen is used by all living things and is essential for …
The Composition of our Atmosphere | METEO 3: Weather …
So, if we use 50 kilometers to compare with the average radius of Earth (6,368 kilometers), the thickness of our atmosphere is about 0.8 percent of the radius of Earth. What does that all …
8.4: Earth's Atmosphere - Physics LibreTexts
At Earth’s surface, the atmosphere consists of 78% nitrogen (N 2), 21% oxygen (O 2), and 1% argon (Ar), with traces of water vapor (H 2 O), carbon dioxide (CO 2), and other gases. …
What Gases Make Up the Atmosphere of Earth? – The Institute for ...
Jun 16, 2025 · Earth’s atmosphere is primarily composed of nitrogen (approximately 78%) and oxygen (approximately 21%). The remaining 1% includes trace amounts of other gases, vital …
Nitrogen: Why This Gas Dominates Earth's Atmosphere - Explained
Sep 24, 2025 · Yet, the invisible air that surrounds us, that fills our lungs with every inhalation, is predominantly composed of another, often overlooked element: Nitrogen (N2). Approximately …
Atmosphere of Earth - Wikipedia
The three major constituents of Earth's atmosphere are nitrogen, oxygen, and argon. Water vapor accounts for roughly 0.25% of the atmosphere by mass.