Question

Primitive atmosphere was reducing because

• A. Hydrogen atoms were few.
• B. Hydrogen atoms were active and in greater number.
• C. Nitrogen atoms were more.
• D. Oxygen atoms were more.

Answer 1

The correct option is B Hydrogen atoms were active and in greater number.

The very first atmosphere of earth was composed mostly of hydrogen atoms and was lost to space because hydrogen is very light gas. The second atmosphere of earth was contributed by gases from earth’s rocky matrix and bombardment of meteorites, it was composed of hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon and water. Hydrogen was most abundant gas.

Therefore, the correct answer is option B.