Various Elements of Earth

Earth is the third planet from the sun and the only planet on which the survival of life exists. In terms of size and mass, it is the fifth-largest solar system planet. This planet consists of various elements, species, and living creatures. The survival of life on Earth is possible due to various elements of the Earth. These elements include mainly Oxygen – which is the most important gas for respiration. Nitrogen –forms several biological constituents in our body and helps plants in Nutrition. Phosphorus –is found in water, soil, and sediments and contains phosphate minerals. Hydrogen – is mainly present in water in combined form.

How many types of elements are there on Earth?

The atoms are combined to form the elements. These elements are the simple chemical compound in which all atoms of the same configuration bind to each other and form a species. We see globally that there are a total of 118 elements there, of which 92 are naturally derived. These elements are arranged in the periodic table with specific atomic numbers and orbital configuration arrangements. The elements in the periodic table are specified by their symbols; for example, Oxygen is denoted as ‘O’.

Of this, the basic elements of Earth are Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Hydrogen, Silicon, Aluminium, Iron, Calcium, and many more. The most abundant element on the Earth is oxygen. Several other elements such as nickel, copper, and chloride are also considered the Earth’s elements and are present in minute amounts. Mostly all these elements are found in the lithosphere layer of the Earth and several others in the Earth’s crust. Some elements are found in abundant amounts, whereas some are only present in trace amounts. 

What are the most abundant elements on Earth?

The basic elements of Earth are present abundantly and have several uses mentioned below. 

Oxygen

Oxygen is present at 21% in the Earth’s atmosphere, and it is the most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, with a percentage of 46.6%. Oxygen plays a major role in the various functions of the body, such as respiration, production of energy, and several other processes. We breathe oxygen from the air to survive. Plants generate oxygen during the process of photosynthesis, and also many microbes also produce oxygen.  

Silicon

It is present in 27.7 % of the Earth’s crust. After oxygen, it is the second most abundant element on Earth. If we see this element in the periodic table, it comes under the carbon family. When it was initially derived, it was in the amorphous form. The pure form of silicon is very reactive, and hence it is not found usually in nature, but silicon is found in sand, clays, and soils as a combined form with oxygen. The oxidised form of silicon is silicon dioxide, an important compound for the Earth’s mantle.

Aluminium

Aluminium is present in 8% of the Earth’s crust. It is present in a highly reactive form and hence does occur in nature as a pure form. It is the third most abundant element that forms among all the elements of the Earth. The most common form in which aluminium is obtained is in bauxite ore due to the highly reactive nature of aluminium. It is a useful catalyst or an additive in chemical mixtures.

Iron

Iron is the fourth most abundant element present. It is present in 5% of the Earth’s crust. The symbol of iron is Fe, and its atomic number is 26. The iron is solid at room temperature and classified as a transition metal. Also, iron is the most common element found on the Earth’s Inner and Outer Crust. In the human body, iron is present in the Haemoglobin complex and myoglobin. 

Calcium

Calcium is present in 3.64% of the Earth’s crust. It is the fifth most abundant element found in the Earth’s crust. The symbol of Calcium is Ca, and its atomic number is 20. Calcium is most commonly found as Calcium Carbonate, also in the limestone, in the gypsum, and in the bones and teeth of the human body consisting of calcium constituents. It is also helpful in the signal transmission pathway when contraction and relaxation of muscles occur. 

Sodium

It is the most commonly available alkali metal and is present in 2.8% of the Earth’s Crust. It is the Element of Group 1 of the periodic table. It is very reactive and never forms in a free state in the Earth’s crust. It is highly explosive when it reacts with water. The seawater has the highest content of sodium in the form of NaCl. 

Potassium

The symbol of Potassium is K, and the atomic number is 19. It is the seventh most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, and it consists of 2.6% of the Earth’s crust. Mostly potassium is present in rocks and the sediments in the mineral. Potassium is considered the type of electrolyte. It helps in nerve function and contraction. In plans, potassium ions help regulate stomata, i.e., opening and closing of stomata. 

Magnesium

The symbol of Magnesium is Mg, and the atomic number is 12. It is the eighth-most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, with a percentage of 2.1% among all the elements present in it. In nature, it occurs with the combination of several other elements such as Carbon, Calcium, Oxygen, and others. Magnesium is found in the Earth’s crust and the Earth’s mantle. Magnesium is present in chlorophyll, which utilises energy from the sunlight. Various magnesium-containing drugs are helpful in the treatment of high blood pressure and diabetes. 

Conclusion

The Earth is composed of a variety of elements. The basic elements of Earth are  aluminium oxygen,  sodium, iron,  silicon, potassium, calcium, and magnesium make up around 98 per cent of the whole crust. Titanium, hydrogen, phosphorus, manganese, sulphur , nickel, carbon, and other elements make up the rest. The elements found in the crust of Earth are seldom found alone; instead, they are frequently mixed with different elements to form various compounds. Minerals are the name given to these substances.