How did the hydrosphere and atmosphere form?

What will be an ideal response?


Answer: Two contrasting hypotheses explain the origin of Earth's atmosphere and hydrosphere. One hypothesis suggests delivery of water-rich materials from meteorites and comets that accreted to the initially dry Earth very late in the formation of the planet. The other hypothesis suggests that Earth accreted wet, from planetesimals or embryos already containing water-bearing minerals. Water vapor is the most abundant gas erupted from volcanoes. This observation is consistent with the hypothesis that the hydrosphere derived from melting water-bearing mantle minerals and erupting water vapor through volcanoes. Atmosphere composition changed through Earth history as a result of weathering reactions and the presence of photosynthetic organisms, which consume carbon dioxide and create oxygen.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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Looking at the photo (Figure 10.3), this settlement pattern is an example of what survey system?

A) Metes and Bounds B) U.S. Public Lands Survey C) Long Lots D) Township and Range

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

What is the effect of increasing the temperature at which a reaction is carried out?

A) In all cases the rate of reaction decreases. B) In virtually all cases the rate of reaction decreases. C) In all cases the rate of reaction increases. D) In virtually all cases the rate of reaction increases.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

What was the objective of the eighth round of GATT in Uruguay?

A) removing barriers to international trade and services B) ending limits on foreign economic investments C) establishing and policing intellectual property rights D) reducing agricultural trade barriers and domestic subsidies E) all of the above

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Australia and Oceania face numerous environmental risks. Write an essay in which you describe and assess the severity of these problems.

What will be an ideal response?

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences