Author Question: Describe how the Earth's ocean accumulated. What aspects of the initial atmospheric conditions ... (Read 76 times)

justinmsk · **on:** Aug 22, 2018

Describe how the Earth's ocean accumulated. What aspects of the initial atmospheric conditions
prohibited the formation of liquid water? Once in place, how did the water become saline? What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Eventually our sun will become a red giant. Explain what this means. What would happen to Earth and
our universe if this were to happen? What will be an ideal response?

hugthug12 · **Reply #1 on:** Aug 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS:Answer
should include:
Early atmospheric conditions prohibited the collection of water. Water vapor was unable
to cool enough to form into liquid form due to the extreme surface temperature of Earth.
The sun was also unable to penetrate the atmosphere due to thick clouds in the early
atmosphere.
As the upper layer of clouds began to cool, droplets of water were able to form.
Eventually, hot rain began to fall toward Earth. The rain that fell boiled once it came in
contact with the surface of Earth. The water then evaporated and cycled back into
clouds.
The cycling of water from the atmosphere to the Earth's surface and back again helped
cool the surface of the Earth.
Once the surface of Earth cooled, water began to collect in basins.
As the water collected in basins, minerals began to dissolve. This created the saline
conditions of the ocean.
The whole process of the formation of the ocean lasted approximately 20 million years.
The ocean was mostly in place by 4 billion years ago.

Answer to Question 2

ANS:Answer
should include:
A red giant refers to the stage when a star begins to swell after its energy output
increases. The path to becoming a red giant starts with a star consuming carbon and
oxygen. This marks the death of a star.
If the red giant is large enough, it can become a supernova.
Eventually, our sun will become a red giant. It will engulf the inner planets of the
universe, including Earth.
The materials that shatter into space will be recycled in the universe.
The sun's explosion could trigger a new solar system. Accretion is likely to start, and the
creation of new planets could occur