Earth was initially molten due to extreme volcanism and frequent collisions with other bodies. Eventually, the outer layer of the planet cooled to form a solid crust when water began accumulating in the atmosphere. The Moon formed soon afterwards, possibly as the result of a Mars-sized object with about 10% of the Earth's mass impacting the planet in a glancing blow. Some of this object's mass merged with the Earth, significantly altering its internal composition, and a portion was ejected into space. Some of the material survived to form an orbiting moon. Outgassing and volcanic activity produced the primordial atmosphere. Condensing water vapor, augmented by ice delivered from comets, produced the oceans. COUNT 9
QSN1 The initial state of earth was what? ANS1 molten QSN2 What formed on the outside of the earth after it cooled? ANS2 a solid crust QSN3 How does the mass of the moon compare to earth? ANS3 about 10% of the Earth's mass QSN4 What created a primordial atmosphere on earth? ANS4 Outgassing and volcanic activity QSN5 Ice from what source helped to create earths oceans? ANS5 comets QSN6 Powerful volcanism contributed to cause early earth to be in what state? ANS6 molten QSN7 What occurred in the atmosphere of the earth after the crust was formed? ANS7 water began accumulating QSN8 What size of object may have created the moon? ANS8 Mars QSN9 When water was creating the oceans what was happening to atmospheric water vapor? ANS9 Condensing