The primary component of air is nitrogen, which makes up about 78% of Earth's atmosphere by volume. Oxygen is the second most abundant gas, accounting for approximately 21%. The remaining 1% consists of trace gases, including carbon dioxide, argon, and various other gases. Nitrogen is essential for life on Earth and plays a crucial role in biological processes, such as the creation of nucleotides and amino acids. Understanding the composition of air is vital for fields such as environmental science, meteorology, and biology, as it affects climate, weather patterns, and living organisms.