Which process is most consistent with the Law of Conservation of Mass in explaining how Earth's oceans formed after water on the surface evaporated?

• A. Conversion of water vapor into solid minerals through chemical reactions
• B. Transformation of water vapor into oxygen and hydrogen gases that escaped into space
• C. Absorption of water vapor by rocks, permanently removing it from the water cycle
• D. Condensation of water vapor in the atmosphere, leading to precipitation and accumulation in basins

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the Law of Conservation of Mass, which states that mass cannot be created or destroyed in a closed system during a chemical process.
2. Analyze each option to see if it aligns with the Law of Conservation of Mass by checking whether the total mass of water remains accounted for after the process.
3. Recognize that converting water vapor into solid minerals or gases that escape into space would imply a loss or transformation of water mass that is not recovered in the ocean, thus not consistent with conservation of mass in the context of ocean formation.
4. Consider the absorption of water vapor by rocks as a temporary storage, but if it permanently removes water from the cycle, it would reduce the total water mass available, conflicting with conservation principles.
5. Identify that condensation of water vapor into liquid water, leading to precipitation and accumulation in basins, keeps the water mass within the Earth's system, consistent with the Law of Conservation of Mass.