Question

Stanley Miller and Harold C. Urey performed an experiment by recreating in the laboratory the probable conditions of the atmosphere of the primitive Earth.

1. What was the purpose of the experiment?
2. In what forms was the energy supplied for the chemical reactions to occur?
3. For how long the experiment was run continuously?

Answer 1

1. The purpose was to prove the abiotic origin of biomolecules by recreating in the laboratory the probable atmospheric conditions of the primitive Earth. The experiment aimed to show that organic compounds like amino acids could be formed from simple inorganic gases under those early Earth conditions.
2. Supply electric discharge energy, mimicking the impact of the primeval atmosphere’s lightning. Vitality was provided by heating the container that held the liquid as as well as by electrical sparks from gaseous electrodes chamber.
3. The experiment was run continuously for a few days.