Question

select the choice that best summarizes the timeline of early earth. if the earth formed 4.6 billion years ago and radiometric dating of fossils and rocks date first life forms arriving at approximately 3.5 billion years ago, then 1.1 billion years of early earth formation was without life forms. if the earth formed 4.6 billion years ago and radiometric dating of fossils and rocks date first life forms arriving at approximately 2 billion years ago, then 2.6 billion years of early earth formation was without life forms. if the earth formed 3.9 billion years ago and radiometric dating of fossils and rocks date first life forms arriving at approximately 3.5 billion years ago, then 400 million years of early earth formation was without life forms. if the earth formed 6.4 billion

Explanation:

Step1: Recall Earth - formation and life - arrival facts

The Earth formed 4.6 billion years ago and the first life forms arrived approximately 3.5 billion years ago.

Step2: Calculate time without life forms

Subtract the time of first life - forms arrival from Earth's formation time: $4.6 - 3.5=1.1$ billion years.

Answer:

If the Earth formed 4.6 billion years ago and radiometric dating of fossils and rocks date first life forms arriving at approximately 3.5 billion years ago, then 1.1 billion years of early Earth formation was without life forms.