Lesson 4.9.1.2

4.9.1.2 The Earth's early atmosphere Quiz: AQA Chemistry, Unit 9

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 4.9.1.2, The Earth's early atmosphere: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462), Unit 9: Chemistry of the atmosphere, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. What was the main gas in the Earth's early atmosphere according to the leading theory?

    • Carbon dioxide
    • Hydrogen
    • Nitrogen
    • Oxygen

  2. What formed when water vapour from volcanic activity in the early Earth cooled?

    • Oceans
    • Rivers
    • Ice caps
    • Rain clouds

  3. Which process released gases that formed the early atmosphere?

    • Burning of coal
    • Lightning fixing nitrogen
    • Photosynthesis by algae
    • Intense volcanic activity

  4. Which gas gradually built up in the atmosphere from volcanic activity?

    • Argon only
    • Ozone
    • Oxygen
    • Nitrogen

  5. What solid sediments formed when carbon dioxide dissolved in the early oceans?

    • Chlorides
    • Carbonates
    • Sulfates
    • Nitrates

  6. During which period of Earth's history did intense volcanic activity release gases to form the atmosphere?

    • Past 4.6 billion years
    • Carboniferous period
    • First billion years
    • Last 200 million years

  7. The early atmosphere is linked to the Earth's age of about 4.6 billion years. Which period does the first intense volcanic phase cover?

    • About 200 million years
    • About 2.7 billion years
    • About 1 billion years
    • About 4.6 billion years

  8. How was carbon dioxide removed from the early atmosphere when oceans formed?

    • Converted into nitrogen
    • Destroyed by sunlight
    • Dissolved in the water
    • Absorbed by volcanoes

  9. A theory predicts an early atmosphere containing water vapour, carbon dioxide and nitrogen. Which gas would be most reduced by ocean formation?

    • Methane
    • Water vapour
    • Nitrogen
    • Carbon dioxide

  10. What is the time scale quoted for the Earth's existence in this context?

    • 2.7 billion years
    • 200 million years
    • 4.6 billion years
    • 1 billion years

  11. Approximately how old is the Earth according to scientific consensus?

    • 10.0 billion years
    • 4.6 billion years
    • 200 million years
    • 1.0 billion years

  12. Which modern planets have atmospheres similar to the Earth's early atmosphere?

    • Uranus and Mars
    • Mars and Venus
    • Mercury and Neptune
    • Jupiter and Saturn

  13. What factor most limits available evidence regarding the Earth's early atmosphere?

    • Lack of modern technology
    • Vast time scale
    • Constant volcanic activity
    • Too many rock samples

  14. Why is evidence for the Earth's early atmosphere very limited?

    • Lack of rocks
    • Volcanic destruction
    • Human error
    • Long time scale

  15. Which two gases were present in small proportions in the early atmosphere?

    • Argon and neon
    • Helium and radon
    • Oxygen and hydrogen
    • Methane and ammonia

  16. What solid deposits were formed from dissolved carbon dioxide in ancient oceans?

    • Carbonates
    • Sulfates
    • Nitrates
    • Oxides

  17. Why is knowledge about the Earth's early atmosphere based on a theory?

    • Modern samples
    • Limited evidence
    • Direct measurements
    • Definitive proof

  18. Which gas increased in the early atmosphere because of volcanic activity?

    • Carbon dioxide
    • Ozone
    • Hydrogen sulfide
    • Argon

  19. What was the main gas in the Earth's early atmosphere?

    • Hydrogen
    • Nitrogen
    • Oxygen
    • Carbon dioxide

  20. What geological process released gases to form the early atmosphere?

    • Solar radiation
    • Tectonic collision
    • Meteorite impact
    • Volcanic activity

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