In 1953, S.L. Miller successfully simulated the conditions of primitive Earth in a laboratory setup to test the theory of chemical evolution. Which of the following was utilized by him as the energy source to drive the formation of organic compounds from a mixture of simple gases?

Step-by-step solution

In 1953, S.L. Miller conducted an experiment to test the biochemical origin of life (chemical evolution) proposed by Oparin and Haldane. He created conditions similar to those of primitive Earth in a laboratory scale. He used a closed flask containing a mixture of simple gases: methane ( CH₄ ), ammonia ( NH₃ ), hydrogen ( H₂ ), and water vapour at 800^ C . To simulate the lightning of the primitive Earth, which provided the energy for chemical reactions, he used electric discharge from electrodes in the flask. This