Arrange the following major gases as per their volume in the atmosphere in increasing order:

A. Carbon Dioxide
B. Argon
C. Nitrogen
D. Oxygen
E. Hydrogen

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct option is A

Introduction
The Earth's atmosphere is primarily composed of four gases, with the rest being trace gases.

The correct order is E (Hydrogen), A (Carbon Dioxide), B (Argon), D (Oxygen), C (Nitrogen).

Information Booster

• The concentration of gases is generally measured by percentage volume in the dry atmosphere. The order from lowest to highest volume is:
  • Hydrogen - Is a trace gas in the lower atmosphere, found in extremely low concentrations (approx. 0.00005%), making it the lowest on this list.
  • Carbon Dioxide - Is a variable gas with a volume of approximately 0.0418% (or 418 ppm), placing it significantly above Hydrogen but below the inert gases.
  • Argon - Is the third most abundant gas, found at approximately 0.934% volume. It is an inert noble gas.
  • Oxygen - Is the second most abundant gas, accounting for approximately 20.95% volume. It is essential for respiration.
  • Nitrogen - Is the most abundant gas, accounting for approximately 78.09% volume, making it the highest on this list.

The correct increasing order is therefore: E (Hydrogen) < A (Carbon Dioxide) < B (Argon) < D (Oxygen) < C (Nitrogen).

Additional Knowledge

• Nitrogen (N₂) and Oxygen (O₂): Together, these two dominant gases account for over 99% of the dry volume of the atmosphere.
• Argon (Ar): Although the third most abundant, it is a chemically inert noble gas and plays no role in weather or chemical atmospheric processes.
• Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): Despite its small volume percentage, it is the most important natural greenhouse gas after water vapor, crucial for regulating Earth's temperature and climate stability.