I presume it is Oxygen or Nitrogen, however I'd like to see if anyone knew for sure. PLEASE, NO WILD GUESSES.
2006-07-15 17:09:13 · 23 answers · asked by gmprunner 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
This question is purposefully vague.
2006-07-15 20:54:27 · update #1
The word "substance" is not defined in science - is it a mineral, an element, a compound, a mixture....? What part of the earth? Do you mean by volume or mass? Without knowing more details, it is not possible to answer your question with absolute certainty.
By your examples of oxygen and nitrogen, I am assuming you want to know what is the most abundant element "in" the earth's crust, or lithosphere.
The answer to that, in decreasing order, is:
Oxygen 46.6%
Silicon 27.7
Aluminum 8.1
Iron 5.0
Calcium 3.6
Sodium 2.8
Potassium 2.6
Magnesium 2.1
All others 1.5
As we go deeper into the earth, we know that these proportions of elements change because the density of the earth is greater in the middle than near the crust. Nobody has ever recovered a sample from below the lithosphere, so we can't be sure what elements are the most common there. But by knowing the average composition of stony meteorites (chondrites) and the overall density of the earth, we are quite certain that iron and nickel are more abundant in the core of the earth than in the lithosphere.
2006-07-15 19:24:41 · answer #1 · answered by minefinder 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Most Abundant Material On Earth
2016-10-20 21:34:47 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nitrogen is the most abundant substance in the air. The air we breathe is 70% Nitrogen, and only something like 18% Oxygen...
However if you're not looking at an elemental level, this site says it's water:
2006-07-15 17:12:39 · answer #3 · answered by ///M5 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're right - it's oxygen. Oxygen makes up approximately 47% of the crust of the earth, and while it's only upwards of 20% of the atmosphere, the mass of the crust makes up that difference. The mantle is also considered to be made up a great deal of oxygen - while the lower levels (including the core) are mainly iron. However the size of the core (and lower mantle layers) is small compared to those on top of it. Also realize that water is 1/3 oxygen, so if you include water, atmosphere (which it is a part of many gasses, including ozone, carbon dioxide, etc.) and rock (nitrates, sulfates, carbonates, etc.) Oxygen is by far the leader.
Silicon is #2. :)
2006-07-15 17:29:02 · answer #4 · answered by michelsa0276 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Earth
2016-03-16 22:19:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you say substance, what do you mean? Chemical element or naturally occuring compounds? elementally, it's hydrogen but water is the most abundant compound on Earth, followed by Oxygen.
2006-07-15 17:14:51 · answer #6 · answered by hyperhealer3 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Water
2006-07-15 17:12:13 · answer #7 · answered by jymsis 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By substance, I assume you do not mean element. That would go to olivine. The mantle is, by volume, the largest portion of the earth, and the mantle is mainly made of the rock peridotite, which is mainly olivine.
So olivine is the winner: (Fe, Mg)2SiO4
2006-07-15 17:51:22 · answer #8 · answered by QFL 24-7 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe water is the most common substance on earth.
2006-07-15 17:12:43 · answer #9 · answered by KylieElenstar 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Cellulose. "Cellulose is the most abundant organic polymer on Earth". When you say "substance" I dont take that as an element so I'd go with the plant material cellulose.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellulose
2014-01-30 13:50:21 · answer #10 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋