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Ok, the Earth's atmosphere is approx 78% nitrogen, 20% Oxygen, and 1% argon. could we breath if it was 78% argon, 20% Oxygen, and 1% nitrogen? How about 78% hydrogen or Helium?

2007-01-07 07:42:26 · 4 answers · asked by bohdan 2 in Environment

4 answers

We could definitely breathe in an argon atmosphere just fine - argon is inert, and so it would have absolutely no effect on us, and it would behave more or less like nitrogen - it would even probably weigh abot the same so the atmospheric pressure wouldn't change too much.

However, though nitrogen gas is essentially inert, it is converted into nitrogenous compounds (like nitrates, ammonium, etc.) that are crucial for life to exist. So without a heavily nitrogen-based atmosphere, life wouldn't exist for other reasons.

As to a hydrogen/oxygen environment, the editor above is right - it would burn up very quickly and take us all with it.

2007-01-07 07:55:21 · answer #1 · answered by astazangasta 5 · 1 0

To be more correct it is 20.9% OX
78% N
1.1% green house gas.
There is Mother nature in its BEST she knows we are on a very long trip. So we need some more OX in reserve. Don't u think so. The secrete is out about the Van Allan Belt where the ozone is that protects us There is the Solar winds that is impacting our magnetic field. When the O3 gets a little thin it lets in just a slight amount of alpha particles. What happens to Nitrogen when it is bombarded with alpha particles. IT will Trans mutate to Oxygen. so all that nitrogen is a oxygen reserve.

2007-01-07 08:22:14 · answer #2 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0 1

If the atmosphere was 78% Hydrogen and 21% Oxygen, it would not be that way for long.

First guy who lights up a cigarette would end all life.

2007-01-07 07:47:32 · answer #3 · answered by Holden 5 · 1 0

Can't quite answer what you asked, but they used to give premature babies pure oxygen. The babies went blind. They had to change to a oxygen/nitrogen mix to prevent this happening.

2007-01-07 08:17:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

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