If scientists analyzed the atoms in a jar of air, which element would they find in the greatest abundance?

• A. Carbon
• B. Oxygen
• C. Argon
• D. Nitrogen

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall the composition of Earth's atmosphere by volume, which primarily consists of nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and trace amounts of other gases.
2. Understand that nitrogen (N\_2) makes up about 78% of the air, oxygen (O\_2) about 21%, and argon about 0.93%, with carbon (as CO\_2) being present in much smaller amounts.
3. Recognize that when analyzing atoms in a jar of air, the element with the greatest abundance corresponds to the most prevalent gas molecule, which is nitrogen.
4. Note that carbon is not a major component of air in elemental form; it is mostly found in trace amounts as carbon dioxide (CO\_2), which is a compound, not an element in the air.
5. Conclude that nitrogen atoms would be found in the greatest abundance in a jar of air due to nitrogen's dominant presence in the atmosphere.