Answer
The eight most common elements in Earth's crust, by weight percent, are:
1. Oxygen (O): Oxygen is the most abundant element in the Earth's crust, constituting approximately 46.6% of the crust's mass. It is mainly present as oxygen atoms in minerals like silicates, oxides, and carbonates.
2. Silicon (Si): Silicon is the second most abundant element in the Earth's crust, comprising approximately 27.7% of its mass. It is a major component of various silicate minerals, including quartz, feldspar, mica, and clay minerals.
3. Aluminum (Al): Aluminum is the third most abundant element in the Earth's crust, making up around 8.1% of its mass. It occurs primarily in silicate minerals, such as feldspars, micas, and clays.
4. Iron (Fe): Iron is the fourth most abundant element in the Earth's crust, constituting about 5% of its mass. It is found in minerals like hematite, magnetite, and various iron-rich silicates.
5. Calcium (Ca): Calcium comprises approximately 3.6% of the Earth's crust. It occurs in minerals such as calcite, dolomite, and gypsum.
6. Sodium (Na): Sodium accounts for about 2.8% of the Earth's crust. It is present in various minerals, including feldspars and sodium-rich clays.
7. Potassium (K): Potassium makes up around 2.6% of the Earth's crust. It is found in minerals like feldspars, micas, and potassium-rich clay minerals.
8. Magnesium (Mg): Magnesium constitutes about 2.1% of the Earth's crust. It occurs in minerals such as olivine, pyroxene, and various magnesium-rich silicates.
These elements, collectively, make up a significant portion of the Earth's crust and are vital constituents of many minerals and rocks found on the planet.
Work Step by Step
Refer to the answer above.
