Which of the following lists best represents the primary elements that make up Earth's atmosphere?

• A. Carbon dioxide and oxygen
• B. Nitrogen and oxygen
• C. Nitrogen and carbon dioxide
• D. Oxygen and argon

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that Earth's atmosphere is primarily composed of gases, with some elements present in much larger amounts than others.
2. Recall that the two most abundant gases in Earth's atmosphere are nitrogen (N\_2) and oxygen (O\_2), which together make up about 99% of the atmosphere by volume.
3. Recognize that carbon dioxide (CO\_2) and argon (Ar) are present but in much smaller amounts compared to nitrogen and oxygen.
4. Compare the given options and identify which pair corresponds to the two most abundant elements in the atmosphere.
5. Conclude that the list containing nitrogen and oxygen best represents the primary elements that make up Earth's atmosphere.