Question

How many of the following were probably the first inorganic compounds formed on earth ? Water, methane, ammonia, glycine :

Answer 1

2

Answer 2

• Water (H₂O): Water is an inorganic compound. It was abundant on early Earth, existing as vapor in the atmosphere and condensing to form oceans as the planet cooled. It is considered one of the earliest compounds.

• Methane (CH₄): Methane is an organic compound (a hydrocarbon). While it was likely present in the early Earth's atmosphere, it falls under the category of organic compounds.

• Ammonia (NH₃): Ammonia is an inorganic compound. It is believed to have been present in the early Earth's atmosphere, formed from nitrogen and hydrogen.

• Glycine (C₂H₅NO₂): Glycine is an organic compound, specifically the simplest amino acid. While amino acids could have formed under early Earth conditions, they are complex organic molecules, not simple inorganic compounds.

Out of the given list, Water and Ammonia are inorganic compounds that were likely among the first to form on Earth.

Therefore, there are 2 such compounds.