1.7: Accessible Descriptions
- Page ID
- 52331
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Figure 1.1.1 Composition of the Atmosphere
Pie chart showing the composition of Earth’s atmosphere by percentage. Nitrogen accounts for 78.08% and oxygen for 20.95%. The remaining fraction is divided among trace gases, including argon at 0.93%, carbon dioxide at about 0.04%, and very small amounts of neon, helium, methane, krypton, hydrogen, and xenon, each present in fractions of a percent. A more detailed breakdown is provided in Table 1.7.1.
| Gas | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Nitrogen | 78.08% |
| Oxygen | 20.95% |
| Argon | 0.93% |
| Carbon dioxide | ~0.04% |
| Neon | ~0.0018% |
| Helium | ~0.0005% |
| Methane | ~0.0002% |
| Krypton | ~0.0001% |
| Hydrogen | ~0.00005% |
| Xenon | ~0.000009% |
Figure 1.1.2 Density vs. Height
Scatter plot showing the relationship between air density (ρ, in kilograms per cubic meter) on the horizontal axis and altitude (z, in kilometers) on the vertical axis. The data points form a smooth curve indicating that density decreases rapidly as altitude increases, with the rate of decrease slowing at higher altitudes. Near ground level, density is highest (just above 1 kg/m³), and it steadily declines toward near zero by around 50 km. The plot includes individual markers connected by a line to show the trend.
Figure 1.1.3 Pressure vs. Height
Scatter plot showing the relationship between pressure (P, in kilopascals) on the horizontal axis and altitude (z, in kilometers) on the vertical axis. The data points form a smooth curve indicating that pressure decreases rapidly as altitude increases, with the steepest drop occurring near lower altitudes and a more gradual decrease at higher altitudes. Pressure is highest near ground level (around 100 kPa) and approaches very low values by about 50 km. Markers connected by a line illustrate the trend.