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This is the most abundant element on Earth

Published 04/02/2025 às 23:00
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Find out which is the most abundant element on our planet Earth.

Have you ever wondered what the most abundant element on Earth is? Or how the elements that make up our planet compare to those floating around in the vast universe?

The elements are in everything: in the air we breathe, in the precious metals we wear as jewelry, and in the fundamental building blocks of life.

The human body needs these elements to survive and thrive. To understand better, let's explore the Earth's crust, atmosphere, and outer space to find out which elements are most common in each. technology.

The five most abundant elements in the Earth's crust

The Earth's crust is the outermost layer of the planet, where silicate minerals and rocks dominate. Its composition is different from that of deeper layers, such as the mantle and core.

Oxygen (46%): Oxygen is the most abundant element in the Earth's crust, accounting for almost half of its total mass. It frequently combines with other elements to form minerals such as quartz (SiO₂) and feldspar. In addition to being present in the crust, it is essential for living organisms.

Silicon (27%): Silicon is the second most abundant element and is essential in the formation of compounds such as silicon dioxide (SiO₂), found in sand and quartz crystals. This element is crucial for the technology industry, especially in the manufacture of electronic chips.

Aluminum (8%): Aluminum is a lightweight but essential element. It is found in bauxite and feldspar and is widely used in industry due to its corrosion resistance and lightness.

Iron (5%): Despite being the main component of the Earth's core, iron is also present in the crust, forming minerals such as hematite and magnetite. Iron is one of the main components responsible for the Earth's magnetic field.

Calcium (4%): Calcium is vital for the formation of minerals such as calcite and gypsum. It is found in large quantities in sedimentary rocks, such as limestone, and also plays an essential role in the bone health of living beings.

The 5 most abundant elements in the Earth's atmosphere

In the atmosphere, the dominant elements are gases essential for life and the planet's climatic processes.

Nitrogen (78%): Nitrogen is the main component of the atmosphere. It is relatively inert and essential for living beings, as it forms part of proteins and DNA.

Oxygen (21%): Atmospheric oxygen exists mainly as O₂, being essential for the respiration of living beings and for combustion processes.

Argon (0,93%): This noble gas is chemically inert and used in industrial applications such as document preservation and lamps.

Carbon dioxide (0,04%): Although present in small quantities, CO₂ has a major impact, as it is essential for photosynthesis and directly influences the greenhouse effect and the global climate.

Neon (0,0018%): This noble gas is rare, but well-known for its use in neon signs and for its presence in the Earth's atmosphere in small quantities.

The 5 most abundant elements in the universe

When we broaden our perspective on the universe, we realize that the most common elements are different from those found in the Earth's crust and atmosphere.

Hydrogen (75%): Hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe. It makes up most stars and is the main fuel for nuclear fusion, which generates the Sun's energy.

Helium (24%): Formed in the Big Bang and in stars, helium is the second most abundant element. It is inert and does not react easily with other elements.

Oxygen (1%): Although not as common as hydrogen and helium, oxygen is essential for the formation of water and minerals on planets and moons.

Carbon (0,5%): Carbon is essential to life, forming the basis of organic molecules such as amino acids and carbohydrates. It is also found in compounds such as diamond and graphite.

Neon (0,1%): Neon is also found in outer space, especially in the outer layers of stars, where it contributes to luminous phenomena.

The elements that make up our world vary significantly depending on the environment analyzed. In the Earth's crust, silicates dominate, while in the atmosphere nitrogen and oxygen are essential for life. In the universe, hydrogen and helium predominate, being crucial for the existence of stars.

Understanding the distribution of elements helps us better understand not only the planet we live on, but also how the cosmos works.

If you are interested in this topic, it is worth exploring more about the periodic table, geochemical cycles and the formation of elements inside stars. The universe is a huge chemical laboratory, and there is still much to be discovered!

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poluna garova
poluna garova
05/02/2025 08:13

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Fabio Lucas Carvalho

Journalist specializing in a wide range of topics, such as cars, technology, politics, shipbuilding, geopolitics, renewable energy and economics. I have been working since 2015 with prominent publications in major news portals. My degree in Information Technology Management from Faculdade de Petrolina (Facape) adds a unique technical perspective to my analyses and reports. With over 10 thousand articles published in renowned media outlets, I always seek to bring detailed information and relevant insights to the reader. For story suggestions or any questions, please contact me by email at flclucas@hotmail.com.

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