Author Question: Briefly compare and contrast the characteristics of the Moon and Mercury. What will be an ideal ... (Read 754 times)

Lobcity · **on:** Jul 27, 2018

Briefly compare and contrast the characteristics of the Moon and Mercury.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What part of the Sun's aging process will disrupt the biosphere and evaporate the oceans of Earth?

a. the fusion of hydrogen in the core
b. an increase in luminosity as the core becomes helium-enriched
c. the expansion of the outer layers of the Sun as a red giant
d. the supernova explosion caused by the collapse of the iron core
e. hydrogen detonation on the white dwarf remnant

Briannahope · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 27, 2018

Answer to Question 1

The Moon and Mercury are similar in a number of ways. They are both small worlds; the moon is a fourth of Earth's diameter, and Mercury is slightly more than a third of Earth's diameter. They both have negligible atmospheres, their rotation has been altered by tides, their surfaces are heavily cratered, their lowlands are flooded in places by ancient lava flows, and both now have ancient, inactive surfaces.

On the other hand, the Moon and Mercury are different in a number of ways. The moon is a satellite and orbits the Earth; whereas, Mercury is the innermost planet and orbits the Sun. The Moon is tidally coupled to Earth where it rotates once per orbit. Mercury is tidally coupled to the Sun but rotates 1.5 times per orbit.

Answer to Question 2

b