The early atmosphere of the Earth was formed by gases released from intense volcanic activity.
Table 1 shows the relative abundances of some gases in Earth's early atmosphere.
| Gas | Relative abundance in early atmosphere |
|---|---|
| Water vapour | Large |
| Carbon dioxide | Large |
| Nitrogen | Small |
| Ammonia | Trace |
Explain why the amount of water vapour in the atmosphere decreased significantly over geological time.
Practise Edexcel GCSE Chemistry Earth and atmospheric science with exam-style questions for Foundation and Higher tier. 62 questions, matched to the Edexcel GCSE Chemistry (1CH0) specification and written in Paper 1 and Paper 2 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.
