What percentage of air consists of elements other than oxygen and nitrogen?

The correct answer identifies that approximately 1% of air consists of gases other than oxygen and nitrogen. The composition of air is predominantly made up of nitrogen, which accounts for about 78% of the atmosphere, and oxygen, which contributes around 21%. The remaining portion of the atmosphere includes argon (about 0.93%), carbon dioxide (approximately 0.04%), along with trace amounts of other gases like neon, helium, methane, and hydrogen.

Understanding air composition is crucial in fire science, as various gases can influence combustion and fire behavior. For example, the presence of different gases can affect the availability of oxygen for combustion, which in turn can impact fire dynamics. By recognizing that only about 1% of the air consists of these other gases, firefighters can assess situations involving ventilation and the performance of fire suppression techniques more effectively.