Which element primarily makes up air?

Air is primarily composed of nitrogen, which makes up about 78% of the Earth's atmosphere. This significant presence influences various atmospheric processes and contributes to the overall stability of air. Nitrogen is a relatively inert gas, meaning it does not readily react with other elements, which helps create a stable environment for life on Earth.

While oxygen is also an essential component of air, constituting about 21%, nitrogen's higher concentration establishes it as the primary element in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide and hydrogen, on the other hand, are present in much smaller amounts and play different roles in environmental and biological processes, such as photosynthesis and the greenhouse effect. This context highlights why nitrogen is recognized as the dominant gas in the air we breathe.