A model shows that the moon has grown twice its size, yet it had remained in the same place. In one or two sentences, explain how this would impact the gravity between Earth and the moon. Hint: Use the terms mass and distance in your response

7 answers

If the moon's size has increased to twice its original size without changing its distance from Earth, its mass would also be expected to increase (assuming it retains a similar density). The increased mass of the moon would strengthen the gravitational attraction between Earth and the moon, resulting in stronger tidal forces and potentially impacting Earth’s gravitational interactions as well.

short it to one senc

If the moon's size and mass doubled while remaining at the same distance from Earth, the gravitational attraction between the Earth and the moon would increase significantly.

Choose two options from the following list. Then, using complete sentences, explain how they are different. (Hint: Think about their characteristics and how they are formed.)

(a) Star and planet

(b) Asteroid and comet

(c) Meteoroid and comet

(d) Galaxy and constellation

I will choose options (a) Star and planet, and (b) Asteroid and comet.

Stars are massive celestial bodies that produce energy through nuclear fusion in their cores, which makes them luminous and allows them to emit light and heat. They form from the gravitational collapse of gas and dust in regions of space known as stellar nurseries. In contrast, planets are smaller celestial objects that do not generate their own light; instead, they reflect the light of stars. They form from the leftover material in protoplanetary disks around stars, accumulating mass through processes such as accretion.

Asteroids are rocky, airless remnants left over from the early formation of our solar system, primarily found in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, and they are composed mainly of metals and other elements. Comets, on the other hand, are icy bodies that originate from the outer regions of the solar system; they contain significant amounts of water ice and other volatiles and develop a glowing comae and tails when they approach the Sun, due to the sublimation of their ice.

short it

Stars are luminous celestial bodies that generate energy through nuclear fusion, forming from gas and dust in stellar nurseries, while planets are smaller, non-luminous objects that reflect the light of stars and form from leftover material in protoplanetary disks. In contrast, asteroids are rocky remnants from the early solar system, mainly found in the asteroid belt, whereas comets are icy bodies from the outer solar system that develop glowing comae and tails when near the Sun due to sublimation.