Early Earth's Atmosphere Quiz

What was the state of Earth's surface during the early years when there was no atmosphere surrounding the planet?

• Solid

• Molten

• Covered in water

• Frozen

What prevented the gases released by volcanoes on early Earth from escaping into outer space?

• Earth's magnetic field

• Earth's gravity

• The presence of water vapor

• The temperature of the Earth's surface

Which gases were thought to be present in the early Earth's atmosphere based on the analysis of minerals in the Earth's crust?

• Oxygen and nitrogen

• Carbon dioxide and oxygen

• Nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen

• Carbon dioxide and water vapor

What was the composition of Earth's early atmosphere similar to according to the text?

• The current atmosphere of Earth

• The atmosphere of Venus or Mars today

• The atmosphere of Jupiter

• The atmosphere of the Moon

During a period of intense volcanic activity, which gases were released into the early Earth's atmosphere?

• Oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor

• Nitrogen, hydrogen, and methane

• Carbon dioxide, water vapor, and oxygen

• Carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and oxygen

What state was the water vapor in when the surface of the Earth was still very hot?

• Liquid

• Solid

• Gaseous

• Plasma

What happened to the water vapour when the conditions on Earth cooled sufficiently?

• It expanded

• It condensed and formed oceans

• It sublimated

• It remained in the atmosphere

What is a characteristic of carbon dioxide relevant to Earth's early atmosphere?

• It is insoluble in water

• It is only found in solid form

• It is a water soluble gas

• It cannot be found in the atmosphere

What happened to carbon dioxide when the water vapour condensed?

• It was released into the atmosphere

• It formed clouds

• It dissolved in the oceans

• It created a hole in the ozone layer

What was the result of carbonate substances being precipitated during the Earth's early atmospheric processes?

• Formation of mountains

• Formation of rivers

• Formation of sediments

• Formation of glaciers