My thoughts
In my calculations, I used the ideal gas law because I thought it would help explain how much each gas would be needed to fill the troposphere. I found the average pressure, volume, and temperature of the troposphere from a reliable source. I then computed the number of moles that would be in the atmosphere. Next, I converted the moles I found, into moles of each gas.
Oxygen needed the least amount of moles to fill the troposphere: 1.4 x 10^18 mol O2
Nitrogen needed 5.3 x 10^18 mol O2
Carbon dioxide needed the most amount of moles to fill the troposphere: 6.74x 10^16 mol O2
If I had to pick one gas that would be the most useful in the atmosphere alone, it would be oxygen. I picked oxygen because oxygen is one of the most needed elements. Every living thing needs oxygen to survive.
We now know that the atmosphere contains oxygen, nitrogen, and other gases, such as, carbon dioxide. With only one gas in the atmosphere, the Earth would probably not be able to sustain life. We all live in the troposphere, it is the lowest layer of the atmosphere. This layer provides perfect living conditions for life. Each gas that is in the atmosphere is there for a reason. Without oxygen most living things can't breathe. Without carbon dioxide, plants would not be able to produce. All the systems and structures of life would have to be completely changed.
Oxygen needed the least amount of moles to fill the troposphere: 1.4 x 10^18 mol O2
Nitrogen needed 5.3 x 10^18 mol O2
Carbon dioxide needed the most amount of moles to fill the troposphere: 6.74x 10^16 mol O2
If I had to pick one gas that would be the most useful in the atmosphere alone, it would be oxygen. I picked oxygen because oxygen is one of the most needed elements. Every living thing needs oxygen to survive.
We now know that the atmosphere contains oxygen, nitrogen, and other gases, such as, carbon dioxide. With only one gas in the atmosphere, the Earth would probably not be able to sustain life. We all live in the troposphere, it is the lowest layer of the atmosphere. This layer provides perfect living conditions for life. Each gas that is in the atmosphere is there for a reason. Without oxygen most living things can't breathe. Without carbon dioxide, plants would not be able to produce. All the systems and structures of life would have to be completely changed.