The protoearth
differentiated during this time heavy elements like Fe and Ni sunk towards the
center, lighter elements (e.g., C,
N, and O) floated to
the surface.
As the Earth cooled, a solid crust formed,
with numerous outgassing vents (i.e., volcanos) a primitive atmosphere of
H2, CO2, N2,
H2O, CH4, and NH3 formed shortly thereafter.
heavy elements like Fe and Ni sunk towards the
center, lighter elements (e.g., C,
N, and O) floated to
the surface.
I-3