2
   

Composition of Earth's Atmosphere by Mass

 
 
gollum
 
Reply Wed 26 Aug, 2015 12:57 pm
The earth's atmosphere is 20.95% oxygen by volume. What is the percent oxygen by mass?
  • Topic Stats
  • Top Replies
  • Link to this Topic
Type: Question • Score: 2 • Views: 625 • Replies: 4
No top replies

 
timur
 
  1  
Reply Wed 26 Aug, 2015 02:07 pm
@gollum,
It's 23.19%..
gollum
 
  1  
Reply Wed 26 Aug, 2015 02:09 pm
@timur,
timur-

Thank you.

What is your source?
timur
 
  2  
Reply Wed 26 Aug, 2015 02:14 pm
@gollum,
I made the final calculation based on these numbers:

Source
gollum
 
  1  
Reply Wed 26 Aug, 2015 03:04 pm
@timur,
timur-

Thank you.

So, in that earth's atmosphere is a lower percentage (20.95%) by volume than by mass (23.19%), therefore oxygen is heavier than air, and therefore the oxygen tends to stay in the lowest part of the atmosphere closest to the surface of the earth. If the numbers were reversed then oxygen would be lighter than air, and therefore would tend to rise well above the surface of the earth and thus not be available to initiate life on earth.

Is that true?
0 Replies
 
 

Related Topics

New Propulsion, the "EM Drive" - Question by TomTomBinks
The Science Thread - Discussion by Wilso
Why do people deny evolution? - Question by JimmyJ
Are we alone in the universe? - Discussion by Jpsy
Fake Science Journals - Discussion by rosborne979
Controvertial "Proof" of Multiverse! - Discussion by littlek
 
  1. Forums
  2. » Composition of Earth's Atmosphere by Mass
Copyright © 2024 MadLab, LLC :: Terms of Service :: Privacy Policy :: Page generated in 0.03 seconds on 05/10/2024 at 03:07:55