Which of the following is believed to form part of the current atmosphere of the Earth?
A)the remnants of the original hydrogen and helium gas from the solar nebula attracted by the protoplanet
B)the result of the melting and vaporizing of the glaciers from the last ice age
C)gases that were outgassed from the heated rocks sometime after the planet formed
D)hydrogen and helium from a collision between the Sun and another star

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The gases in the Earth's current atmosphere are believed to be the result of outgassing from heated rocks sometime after the planet formed.

(Note: A is incorrect because the original hydrogen and helium gas would have escaped due to the planet's low gravity. B is incorrect because the melting and vaporizing of glaciers would not contribute significantly to the composition of the entire atmosphere. D is incorrect because a collision between the Sun and another star is unlikely to have occurred.)

Which of the Following Is Believed to Form Part of the Current