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The Atmosphere
The Principal Gases in the Atmosphere
The atmosphere is the mixture of gases surrounding the Earth.
The three main components are approximately:
Nitrogen — 78%
Oxygen — 21%
Other gases — 1%
The remaining gases include:
- argon — approximately 0.9%;
- carbon dioxide — approximately 0.04%; and
- small amounts of neon, helium, ozone, methane, krypton, and hydrogen.
Variation of Pressure with Altitude
As altitude increases, atmospheric pressure decreases.
Atmospheric pressure is produced by the weight of the air above us.
As altitude increases, there is less air above the aircraft, so the weight of the overlying atmosphere becomes less and the atmospheric pressure decreases.
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