Question

what can be said about the percentage of elements found in significant amounts in earths biosphere lithosphere hydrosphere and atmosphere compared to the total number of elements listed on the periodic table

Answer 1

The lithosphere, that is, the solid earth is formed of a limited number of elements and is mainly composed of silicon and oxygen. Hydrosphere refers to all the waters on the Earth, that is, oceans, surface water, glaciers, and groundwater. It is formed of a limited number of elements and is mainly composed of hydrogen and oxygen.  

The biosphere is the sum total of all the living matter and is formed of a limited number of elements comprising carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, phosphorus, and calcium. Atmosphere refers to the layers of gas around the planet Earth and is comprised of a limited number of elements, mainly the oxygen and nitrogen.  

Thus, it can be said that very less percentage of elements are found in significant amounts in Earth’s biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere in comparison to the total number of elements listed on the periodic table.  

Answer 2

Answer:

Only 10 -20 % of periodic table elements are found in abundance.

Explanation:

Periodic table consists of total 118 elements and very few elements out of these are found in abundance in the earths biosphere lithosphere hydrosphere and atmosphere. The common elements found in these atmospheres are carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, iron, magnesium , silicon, potassium, nickel etc.

Rare element are very rare and found in very minute quantity in the earths sphere. The same condition is with the heavy element of the periodic table.

Thus, it can be said that only 10 -20 % of periodic table elements are found in abundance.