Question
What are the chemical species present in the troposphere?
Answer
The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere, and it is where most of the Earth’s weather occurs. The major chemical species present in the troposphere are:
- Nitrogen (N2): This is the most abundant gas in the troposphere, making up about 78% of the atmosphere.
- Oxygen (O2): This is the second most abundant gas in the troposphere, making up about 21% of the atmosphere.
- Water vapor (H2O): This is the third most abundant gas in the troposphere, and its concentration varies with altitude and location.
- Carbon dioxide (CO2): This gas makes up about 0.04% of the troposphere, but its concentration is increasing due to human activities.
- Other gases: The troposphere also contains small amounts of other gases, such as argon, ozone, methane, and nitrous oxide.
