Final answer:
The correct order of events for the formation of the Earth is: 1) Formation of the solar system, 2) Formation of the Earth's crust, 3) Formation of the Earth's atmosphere, and 4) Formation of the Earth's oceans.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct order of events for the formation of the Earth, from oldest to most recent, is as follows:
- Formation of the solar system: This is when the Sun and the planets, including Earth, formed from a spinning cloud of gas and dust called the solar nebula.
- Formation of the Earth's crust: After the formation of the solar system, Earth gradually cooled down and developed a solid crust made up of rocks like basalt and granite.
- Formation of the Earth's atmosphere: As Earth continued to cool, volcanic activity released gases, which eventually formed an atmosphere. The early atmosphere consisted of ammonia, methane, water vapor, and carbon dioxide, but very little oxygen.
- Formation of the Earth's oceans: Finally, water from rain, as well as comets and asteroids that struck Earth, accumulated to form the Earth's oceans.