Final answer:
The correct option is C. The correct statement about the early history of Earth is that it is approximately 4.5 billion years old. Earth is a nearly spherical, medium-sized terrestrial planet, and scientific evidence refutes the idea that it is flat or the center of the universe.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on our understanding of the early history of Earth, the correct statements from the provided list are the following:
- Earth is approximately 4.5 billion years old.
- Earth is neither the smallest planet in the solar system nor is it flat or the center of the universe.
- Earth is a nearly spherical planet with a diameter of about 12,760 kilometers.
Planet Earth is an oblate spheroid, which means it has a slight bulge at the equator due to its rotation. It is a medium-sized planet among the terrestrial planets of our solar system, with a composition consisting of heavy elements like iron, silicon, and oxygen. Additionally, Earth's orbit is nearly circular, providing a stable climate that supports liquid water and, consequently, life. Misconceptions such as Earth being flat or the center of the universe have been disproven by overwhelming scientific evidence.