Chapter 30, Problem 2RQ

Earth’s present atmosphere likely developed from gases that escaped from its interior during volcanic eruptions. What two principal atmospheric gases were produced by these eruptions?

To determine

The two principal atmospheric gases that were produced by volcanic eruptions.

Answer to Problem 2RQ

The two principal atmospheric gases that were produced by volcanic eruptions are water vapor and carbon dioxide.

Explanation of Solution

The Earth probably has an atmosphere before the Sun was fully formed. The atmosphere was composed of only hydrogen and helium, along with some amount of ammonia and methane. Earlier atmosphere contained no free oxygen. During the formation of the Sun, the blast took place, which produced a strong outflow of charged particles. This outflow was enough to sweep Earth’s atmosphere.

The next atmosphere that was formed had certain gases that were trapped in Earth’s hot interior. These gases escaped during the volcanic eruptions. The gases which were escaped during early atmosphere were probably much like gases found in volcanic eruption today. The two principal gases that escaped were water vapor and carbon dioxide.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the two principal atmospheric gases that were produced by volcanic eruptions are water vapor and carbon dioxide.