(ORDO NEWS) — If our knowledge of the origin of the Earth is correct, then at the dawn of its existence it must have lost most of its own gaseous envelope, at least the layer of light gases. The lightest gas, hydrogen, had to fly into outer space.
If this is so, then it is appropriate to ask where the hydrogen came from, which took and takes part in simple natural chemical reactions that “generate” water: 2H2 + O2 = 2H2O, the water that fills rivers, lakes, seas, oceans, geysers, clouds, plants, animals and people?
The Earth should be as dry, lifeless and cold as its neighbor the Moon, but … The question of where water appeared on Earth (and even in such quantity) remains one of the most intriguing to this day. Naturally, scientists have some explanations, but these are not exact answers, but only reflections.
How did water appear on Earth? Three possible explanations.
- The hydrogen shell of the young Earth escaped into space, and then, when the last meteorite bombardment ended (the time period from 4.1 to 3.8 billion years ago), new hydrogen was released and rose from the bowels of the planet, which ensured the appearance of water.
- The sun is “tossed about” by hydrogen atomic nuclei – protons often referred to as the “solar wind” – some of which reach the Earth’s surface, where they transform into water.
- Water was brought to Earth by comets, which, hitting the surface, released water in a gaseous state. The steam, reaching the upper layers of the atmosphere, cooled, condensed into water and fell to the surface in torrential rains.
Can any of these phenomena lead to the appearance of such a gigantic amount of water that covers 70.8 percent of the surface of the globe?
Outcome:
We don’t know for sure what caused water to form on Earth, which gave rise to all life, including us asking interesting questions. Science is a fascinating journey that allows you to understand the structure of the world and find your place in it.
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