What is the most abundant element on Earth?
March 26th, 2008 by Dan
Oxygen is the most abundant. It comprises 49.5% of the total mass of the Earth’s crust, water, and atmosphere. The second most abundant is Silicon (Si) at 27.7% of Earth’s mass.
The other elements in decreasing order of approximate abundance: Aluminum (8.1%), iron (5.0%), calcium (3.6%), sodium (2.8%), and potassium at 2.6%.
Source: about.com’s, howthingswork.
March 27th, 2008
Be aware that these abundances are only applicable for the Earth’s crust. Iron is much more abundant if one is considering the whole Earth, which is what I would interpret the question to be asking.
March 27th, 2008
Point well taken. If the question asked “What is the most abundant in the Earth’s crust?” the first answer would have been a fair estimate. As written, Professor Schott’s answer is a better one. Thanks for the clarification!