AQA · GCSE · Chemistry
Course version: 8462 · Version from Sept 2018
One theory suggests that during the first billion years of the Earth’s…
Full specification wording
The Earth's early atmosphere: One theory suggests that during the first billion years of the Earth’s existence there was intense volcanic activity that released gases that formed the early atmosphere and water vapour that condensed to form the oceans.
This statement explains a widely accepted theory for how the early atmosphere and oceans formed.
Checked against the AQA 8462 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 7
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
This statement explains a widely accepted theory for how the early atmosphere and oceans formed. In the first billion years after the Earth formed, the surface was extremely hot and volcanically active. Eruptions released large volumes of gases, including water vapour, carbon dioxide and nitrogen. These gases accumulated under gravity to form the early atmosphere. As the planet cooled, the water vapour condensed into liquid water, which fell as rain and collected in hollows to form the oceans. A useful way to remember the sequence is: volcanoes release gases → atmosphere forms → Earth cools → water vapour condenses → oceans form. The theory is supported by the observation that volcanic gases today still contain water vapour and carbon dioxide.
What earns the marks
- States that the events occurred during the first billion years of Earth’s existence.
- Describes intense volcanic activity releasing gases.
- Identifies released gases, such as water vapour and carbon dioxide, as forming the early atmosphere.
- Explains that water vapour condensed as the Earth cooled to form the oceans.
- Links the formation of the atmosphere and oceans to the same period of volcanic activity.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Saying that volcanoes released oxygen.
Put it right: The early atmosphere had little or no oxygen, and oxygen came later from photosynthesis.
Confusing condensation with freezing.
Put it right: Water vapour changes to liquid water on cooling, not directly to ice.
Thinking the oceans formed before the atmosphere.
Put it right: The gases released by volcanoes formed the atmosphere first, and water vapour later condensed.
Exam tips
- Use the phrase ‘water vapour condensed’ rather than ‘water vapour turned into water’ to show correct scientific vocabulary.
- Sequence your answer clearly: volcanic activity, gas release, atmosphere formation, cooling, condensation, oceans.
- If asked to explain, link each cause to its effect, for example cooling causes condensation, which forms oceans.
Try the lesson
The start of the The Earth's early atmosphere: One theory suggests that during the first billion years of the Earth’s existence there was intense volcanic activity that released gases that formed the early atmosphere and water vapour that condensed to form the oceans. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
According to one theory, what was the main source of the gases that formed the Earth's early atmosphere?
Listen
This statement explains a widely accepted theory for how the early atmosphere and oceans formed. In the first billion years after the Earth formed, the surface was extremely hot and volcanically active. Eruptions released large volumes of gases, including water vapour, carbon dioxide and nitrogen. These gases accumulated under gravity to form the early atmosphere. As the planet cooled, the water vapour condensed into liquid water, which fell as rain and collected in hollows to form the oceans. A useful way to remember the sequence is: volcanoes release gases → atmosphere forms → Earth cools → water vapour condenses → oceans form. The theory is supported by the observation that volcanic gases today still contain water vapour and carbon dioxide. A strong answer earns marks for these points. States that the events occurred during the first billion years of Earth’s existence. Describes intense volcanic activity releasing gases. Identifies released gases, such as water vapour and carbon dioxide, as forming the early atmosphere. Explains that water vapour condensed as the Earth cooled to form the oceans. Exam tip: Use the phrase ‘water vapour condensed’ rather than ‘water vapour turned into water’ to show correct scientific vocabulary.
Key words
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Formation of the early atmosphere
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Role of volcanic activity
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Condensation and the formation of oceans
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Earth’s first billion years
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See every definition
- Formation of the early atmosphere
- Gases released by intense volcanic activity accumulated under gravity to form the early atmosphere.
- Role of volcanic activity
- Intense volcanic activity released large volumes of gases, including water vapour, carbon dioxide and nitrogen.
- Condensation and the formation of oceans
- As the planet cooled, water vapour condensed into liquid water, which fell as rain and collected in hollows to form the oceans.
- Earth’s first billion years
- During the first billion years of the Earth’s existence there was intense volcanic activity that released gases and water vapour.
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