Myth vs Reality: Composition of Earth's Atmosphere

Video Player

Video Versions


This short segment addresses the misconception that Earth's atmosphere is mostly oxygen. 

Credits


Produced by the Space Telescope Science Institute’s Office of Public Outreach in collaboration with the NASA Earth Observatory (https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/).

Transcript


(SPEECH)
[UPBEAT JAZZ MUSIC]
 
(DESCRIPTION)
Text, Myth vs. Reality
 
Myth. Earth's atmosphere is mostly oxygen.
 
Reality. Oxygen gas makes up less than 21% of the volume of Earth's atmosphere. The most abundant gas is nitrogen, which makes up more than 78%. Most of the remaining 1% is argon, with small quantities of carbon dioxide and other gases.