Carbon in the Earth’s atmosphere is primarily present as carbon dioxide (CO₂). The percentage of carbon in the atmosphere can be understood by examining CO₂’s concentration:

1. Carbon Dioxide Concentration:

As of recent measurements, the concentration of COâ‚‚ in the atmosphere is about 0.041% (or 410 parts per million).

2. Carbon in COâ‚‚:

Carbon makes up roughly 27.3% of the molecular weight of COâ‚‚.

3. Percentage of Carbon in the Atmosphere:

By multiplying the COâ‚‚ concentration by the percentage of carbon in the molecule:

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So, the percentage of carbon in the Earth’s atmosphere is approximately 0.0112%.

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The Earth’s atmosphere is made up of a mix of gases, with nitrogen (N₂) and oxygen (O₂) making up the vast majority. Here’s a breakdown of the primary components and the “other stuff”:

Main Atmospheric Gases:

1. Nitrogen (Nâ‚‚): ~78.08%

2. Oxygen (Oâ‚‚): ~20.95%

3. Argon (Ar): ~0.93%

4. Carbon Dioxide (COâ‚‚): ~0.041% (varies slightly due to human activity and natural processes)

Other Gases and Trace Components (“Other Stuff”):

1. Neon, Helium, Methane, Krypton, Hydrogen: These combined make up ~0.0018%.

2. Water Vapor (Hâ‚‚O): Varies significantly by location, altitude, and weather, but typically ranges from 0.2% to 4% of the atmosphere by volume.

Summary of “Other Stuff”:

When you exclude nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and carbon dioxide:

• Trace gases (including methane, neon, etc.): ~0.0018%.

• Water vapor: Highly variable but can be significant in humid regions.

Thus, the “other stuff” (excluding the main gases) is typically less than 1-4% of the atmosphere, depending on conditions.