Early Earth was constantly being bombarded by meteorites, comets, and asteroids. Was early Earth an open system or a closed system? Explain your answer.
Early Earth was a Open System because energy and matter (light energy) and meteors where bombing the Earth
To determine whether early Earth was an open or closed system, we need to understand the concept of open and closed systems in the context of Earth and its environment.
An open system allows for the exchange of matter and energy with its surroundings. This means that both matter (such as gases, liquids, and solids) and energy (such as heat and light) can freely enter or exit the system. On the other hand, a closed system does not exchange matter with its surroundings but can still exchange energy.
In the case of early Earth, it can be said that it was an open system. This is primarily due to the constant bombardment by meteorites, comets, and asteroids. These celestial bodies contain matter from outside Earth and would introduce new elements and compounds to our planet. Additionally, the impact events themselves would release energy in the form of heat and shockwaves.
The input of extraterrestrial matter and the release of energy from these impacts indicate that early Earth was not isolated but rather open to external influences. This influx of matter and energy from space had a significant impact on the formation of Earth's atmosphere, the composition of its oceans, and the subsequent development of life.
It is worth noting that although early Earth was an open system in terms of the exchange of matter and energy, it was still relatively closed in comparison to today's Earth. Over time, the planet has significantly reduced its exposure to extraterrestrial impacts, making it more closed in nature.