Question

The statements below are all true. Some of them represent important reasons why the giant impact hypothesis for the Moon’s formation is taken seriously, and some of them are not relevant to deciding between this and other hypotheses. Sort the statements into the correct bin according to whether or not they provide important support to the giant impact hypothesis. g

Answer 1

Answer:

Supports giant impact hypothesis

• Models indicate early solar system had Mars-size leftover panetesimals

• Moon's composition is similar to Earth's mantle

• Moon has a low proportion of easily vaporized ingredients

True but not relevant to giant impact hypothesis

• Moon lacks active volcanoes

• Moon's distance is gradually increasing

• Moon has synchronous rotation (keeps same face to Earth)

Explanation:

Things to note

Models shed more light on the early solar system, the leftover planetesimals, that can cause giant impacts.

Observations of the Moon's composition reveals likelihood of formation in a giant impact, that could produce something similar to Earth's mantle layers and its low in easily vaporized ingredients (such ingredients remained gaseous and therefore would not have participated in the Moon's accretion).