According to the Urey-Miller experiment, depicted above, what likely provided the free energy that allowed inorganic molecules to react to form organic precursors to life on Earth? A) Bond energy within the methane B) Lightning within the atmosphere C) Latent heat as water evaporated D) Kinetic energy of free nitrogen molecules

B. Lightning within the atmosphere

Explanation:

The Urey-Miller experiment is an experiment that simulated the conditions that were present in the primitive atmosphere as hypothesized by the chemo-synthetic theory of origin of earth.

The early atmosphere was hypothesized to be anaerobic with gases like methane, nitrogen, water vapour, etc. The dissolution of these gases in puddles that form when it rained led to the formation of chemical soup. The chemical soup eventually gave rise to the first set of pre-cell biological molecules.

The energy that drove the reaction within the chemical soup were heat energy (from the hot earth surface), ultraviolet rays and lightning within the atmosphere.

The correct option is B.

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