Comparing the Mass and Density of the Moon and Earth

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What is the Moon's mass compared to Earth's mass based on the text?

1/120

1/80 (correct)

1/60

1/100

What does the Moon's average density of 3300 kg/m3 compared to Earth's 5500 kg/m3 suggest?

The Moon contains fewer heavy elements than Earth. (correct)

The Moon is denser than Earth.

The Moon contains more heavy elements than Earth.

The Moon has a similar composition to Earth.

Which statement is true about the force of gravity on the Moon and Mercury compared to Earth?

Gravity on the lunar surface is about 1/6 that on Earth. (correct)

Gravity on Mercury is about 2x stronger than Earth.

Gravity on the Moon is stronger than on Earth.

Mercury's gravity is the same as Earth's.

Why do astronomers believe that the Moon and Mercury do not have appreciable atmospheres?

The low escape velocities of both bodies make it hard to retain atmospheres. Signup and view all the answers

What would be the weight of an astronaut weighing 180 lbs on Earth when on Mercury?

72 lbs Signup and view all the answers

What is the Moon's escape velocity compared to Earth's escape velocity based on the text?

2.4 km/s compared to 11 km/s Signup and view all the answers

What is the size range of craters found on the Moon's surface?

From 50 km to 500 m in diameter Signup and view all the answers

Where are craters more prevalent on the Moon's surface?

In the highlands Signup and view all the answers

What are the names of the Moon's mountain ranges primarily inspired by?

Terrestrial mountain ranges Signup and view all the answers

What is notable about the far side of the Moon?

It is composed almost entirely of highlands Signup and view all the answers

Why is the lack of major maria on the far side of the Moon significant?

It implies the Earth's location played a role in the Moon's terrain formation Signup and view all the answers

What is true about the names of the Moon's significant surface features?

They have fanciful Latin names Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the difference in cratering between the lunar highlands and maria?

Sudden drop in meteoritic bombardment around 3.9 billion years ago Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference in composition between the lunar highlands and maria?

The highlands are richer in aluminum, while the maria are richer in iron Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate density of the rocks found in the lunar highlands?

2900 kg/m3 Signup and view all the answers

What is believed to have occurred on the Moon around 3.9 billion years ago?

A sudden sharp drop in meteoritic bombardment occurred Signup and view all the answers

What process is believed to have formed the type of rock found in the maria?

Upwelling of molten material through the lunar crust Signup and view all the answers

What do many of the rock samples brought back by the Apollo astronauts show evidence of?

Repeated shattering and melting Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the system of valleys at the edge of the Mare Imbrium?

Hadley Rille Signup and view all the answers

What is the average density of the Moon?

3300 kg/m^3 Signup and view all the answers

What is the probable reason for the absence of a lunar magnetic field?

The absence of a liquid core and the Moon's slow rotation Signup and view all the answers

What is the size of the large crater closest to the center, Autolycus?

40 km Signup and view all the answers

How high does Mount Hadley rise?

5 km Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated radius of the Moon's core?

200 km Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the crust becoming thinner on the near side and thicker on the far side of the Moon?

The denser lunar mantle sank below the lighter crust in Earth's gravitational field Signup and view all the answers

What is the age of the oldest rocks discovered in the lunar highlands?

4.4 billion years Signup and view all the answers

What happened to the surface layers of the Moon during the first half billion years of its existence?

They were heated and remelted to a depth of 400 km Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the denser lunar mantle sinking below the lighter crust?

The crust and mantle became slightly off-center Signup and view all the answers

What formed on the surface of the Moon about 3 billion years ago, filling the low-lying impact basins?

Molten lava Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of the Moon at the time of its formation?

It was already depleted in heavy metals Signup and view all the answers