Which of the following was almost nil in the primitive atmosphere?
A
Ammonia
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B
Methane
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C
Molecular oxygen
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D
Water vapour
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Solution
The correct option is C Molecular oxygen The Earth formed around 4.5 billion years ago. Scientists believe that its early atmosphere was produced by volcanic activity. Due to volcanic eruptions, molten mass covered the surface of the Earth. Various gases like methane, ammonia, carbon dioxide and water vapour were released from the molten mass.
Earth’s primitive atmosphere was rich in methane, ammonia, water vapour, but it lacked free oxygen.
Hence, free oxygen was almost nil in the primitive atmosphere. Therefore, the atmosphere in early or primitive earth was reducing unlike today’s oxidising atmosphere.