What element is found in both the soil and atmosphere?

The element that is found in both soil and the atmosphere is nitrogen. In the atmosphere, nitrogen is a major component, making up about 78% of the air we breathe. It's present as diatomic nitrogen (N₂), which is relatively inert and does not easily react with other substances.

In soil, nitrogen is a critical nutrient for plants and is found in various forms. It can exist as ammonium (NH₄⁺), nitrate (NO₃⁻), and organic matter from decomposed organisms. The nitrogen cycle plays a significant role in ensuring that nitrogen from the atmosphere is transformed into forms that can be used by plants. This transformation involves processes like nitrogen fixation (by certain bacteria) and nitrification.

Phosphorus, while vital for plant growth, primarily exists in soil and does not have a significant presence in the atmosphere. Oxygen is abundant in the atmosphere and is also present in soil in the form of oxides and molecules but is not as directly linked as nitrogen in agricultural contexts. Carbon is mainly found in organic matter in soil and as carbon dioxide in the atmosphere but does not play the same crucial functional role for plant nutrition as nitrogen does. Thus, nitrogen is the correct answer due to its dual presence and