We believe that the earth is about 4.6 billion years old. At present, we are forced to look to other bodies in the solar system for hints as to what the early history of the earth was like. Studies of our moon, Mercury, Mars and the large satellites of Jupiter and Saturn have provided ample evidence that all these large celestial bodies were bombarded by smaller objects in a wide variety of sizes shortly after the larger bodies have formed. This same bombardment must have affected the earth as well. The lunar record indicates that the rate of impacts decreased to its present low level of about 4 billion years ago. On earth, subsequent erosion and crustal motions have obliterated the craters that must have formed during this epoch, Scientists estimate the earth's age by measuring the ratios of various radioactive elements in rocks. The oldest earth rocks tested thus far are about 31/3 billion years old. But no one knows whether these are the oldest rocks on earth. Tests on rocks from the moon and on meteorites show that these are about 4.6 billion years old. Scientists believe that this is the true age of the solar system and probably the true age of the earth.
The rate of impacts of the bombardment has reduced to the current level, and is assessed by -
Created: 2 years ago |
Updated: 1 year ago
After help, we can use object + infinitive (with or without to).
| Can you help me (to) find my ring? (NOT | |
| Thank you so much for helping us (to) repair the car. | |
| Our main task is to help the company (to) become profitable. |
Help can also be followed directly by an infinitive without an object.
| Would you like to help pack? |
If you say that you cannot/can’t help doing something (especially in British English), you mean that you can’t stop yourself, even if you don’t want to do it.
| She’s a selfish woman, but somehow you can’t help liking her. | |
| Excuse me – I couldn’t help overhearing what you said. | |
| Sorry I broke the cup – I couldn’t help it. |
Can’t help can be followed by but + infinitive (without to), with the same meaning as can’t help verb + ing. This is common in American English.
| I can’t help but wonder what I should do next. |
Related Question
View More
Created: 2 years ago |
Updated: 6 months ago
Created: 2 years ago |
Updated: 6 months ago
Created: 2 years ago |
Updated: 5 months ago
Created: 2 years ago |
Updated: 5 months ago
Created: 2 years ago |
Updated: 5 months ago
Promotion
Download Our Mobile Apps
