2006-12-06 08:38:15 · 11 answers · asked by Darrell 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
I do not think that there is a simple answer for this question. New atoms are gained when meteorites hit the Earth, when radioactive particles decay (depedning on the type of element that is decaying, a single atom may split into more than one atom) etc. At the same time, Earth loses some atoms when part of the atmosphere is lost to space, when space probes are sent into outerspace etc. IMHO, determining whether there has been a net gain or a net loss is impossible.
2006-12-06 09:00:24 · answer #1 · answered by A Person 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course, because the earth didn't exist 3 million years ago. It has only been around for about 6 thousand years.
2006-12-06 18:31:57 · answer #2 · answered by Yep-itsMe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes and no.
Meteorites are bombarding into our atmosphere and onto our Earth all the time. So there would be more atoms present now.
Nowadays, we have also invented the rocket which on leaving our Earth, takes away atoms from our Earth.
What's worse would be those rockets that actually pollute outer space with their ejected empty fuel canisters / jets!
2006-12-06 21:09:03 · answer #3 · answered by Kemmy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The earth gains weight when absorbs meteorites and other bodies. It looses some mass, by emission of radio particles towards the space and also by loosing some of the atmospheric mass (atoms sufficiently fast that can overcome gravitation). Most likely the earth is gaining mass.
2006-12-06 18:11:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes there are more, as time goes by, more and more dust from space collects on the surface of the Earth, increasing it's mass and the number of atoms.
2006-12-06 16:49:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There may be few more, if you count the meteorites hitting the Earth, but atoms cannot be created or destroyed and I doubt aliens came down and stole our atoms, so my guess is more, only because things from outer space put them there(not the aliens, meteorites.)
2006-12-06 18:53:49 · answer #6 · answered by Dana Mulder 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The dinosaur fossils are bellow surface, which suggests to me that the Earth is growing slightly in mass over time. As its so much bigger now, does that mean gravity was less then. Those great dinosaurs could walk upright with ease, but if they where here now, would the atmosphere be to dense?. I'll have to ask.
2006-12-06 16:58:07 · answer #7 · answered by Hi T 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Less
2006-12-06 17:51:52 · answer #8 · answered by Johnathan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My guess is yes, if you consider meteors hitting the planet.
2006-12-06 16:46:43 · answer #9 · answered by me 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'll go call my mum, she'll know since she was around then.
2006-12-06 16:53:27 · answer #10 · answered by L D 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋