Earth's Atmosphere

Nitrogen and oxygen in the air

Earth's atmosphere

Earth's living things

Water vapor in the air

Characteristics of Earth's atmosphere

Reasons why Earth's atmosphere becomes thinner with distance

Characteristics of all gases in Earth's atmosphere

Characteristics of Earth's gravitational pull

Plants use carbon dioxide to make oxygen.

Water vapor is nearly always present up to about 4% of the total volume.

Oxygen is used by all living things and is essential for respiration.

Nitrogen dilutes oxygen and prevents rapid burning at the Earth's surface.

People can exist on Earth because of tiny particles.

People can exist on Earth because of moisture.

People can exist on Earth because of outer space.

People can exist on Earth because of its atmosphere.

Water vapor is almost always in Earth's atmosphere, but its contribution to the atmosphere's composition changes.

Nitrogen is the most common gas in Earth's atmosphere, and its function is to dilute oxygen and prevent rapid burning.

Earth's atmosphere extends many thousands of miles from Earth's surface, and it is held by Earth's gravitational pull.

Earth's atmosphere is made of mostly nitrogen, oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide, and water vapor, and it is important for life on Earth.

Oxygen

Carbon dioxide

Nitrogen

Argon

It is used in light bulbs and double-pane windows.

It is used by all living things and is essential for respiration.

It acts as a blanket that prevents the escape of heat into outer space.

It dilutes oxygen and prevents rapid burning at the Earth's surface.

Up to about 4%

Up to about 6%

Up to about 8%

Up to about 2%

To make proteins in living things

In light bulbs, double-pane windows, and to preserve important documents

In respiration by all living things

To make oxygen through photosynthesis

By being used in light bulbs

By contributing to the greenhouse effect

By diluting oxygen and preventing rapid burning

By acting as a blanket to keep the Earth warm