Author Question: Describe the basic processes and timeline that led to the formation of Earth and its ocean and ... (Read 36 times)

vicky · **on:** Aug 22, 2018

Describe the basic processes and timeline that led to the formation of Earth and its ocean and atmosphere.

Question 2

Residence times are dependent upon steady-state conditions and a well-mixed ocean.
Indicate whether the statement is true or false

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

Answer to Question 1

Earth formed about 4.6 billion years ago through the accretion of particles orbiting in our solar system. Earth was initially molten and layers only formed once planet began to cool. Density stratification allowed the least dense elements to escape to Earth's surface and atmosphere, while the denser elements sunk to form the internal layers of Earth, the mantle and core. The ocean and the atmosphere formed together as the planet cooled sometime between 4.4 and 3.8 billion years ago. The ocean formed as water vapor trapped in Earth's outer layers escaped to the surface via volcanic activity, a process called outgassing. This vapor cooled and condensed to form an ocean.

Answer to Question 2

True