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Gases in the Atmosphere (AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy): Revision Note

Stewart Hird

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AQA Combined Science: Trilogy: ChemistryAQA Chemistry

Composition of the atmosphere

  • The proportion of gases in the air has not changed much in 200 million years

  • The composition of the atmosphere today is:

    • About four-fifths (approximately 80%) nitrogen

    • about one fifth (approximately 20%) oxygen 

    • small proportions of other gases including carbon dioxide, water vapour and trace quantities of the noble gases

The composition of the atmosphere

Pie chart showing composition of the atmosphere

The atmosphere mainly consists of nitrogen and oxygen

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Although the proportion of carbon dioxide is very small, it plays a substantial role in global warming as a greenhouse gas.

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    Stewart Hird

    Author: Stewart Hird

    Expertise: Chemistry Lead

    Stewart has been an enthusiastic GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IB teacher for more than 30 years in the UK as well as overseas, and has also been an examiner for IB and A Level. As a long-standing Head of Science, Stewart brings a wealth of experience to creating Topic Questions and revision materials for Save My Exams. Stewart specialises in Chemistry, but has also taught Physics and Environmental Systems and Societies.