Which of the Following Best Explains Why the Moon's Orbital

question 86

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best explains why the Moon's orbital period and rotation period are the same?

• A)The law of conservation of angular momentum ensured that the Moon must have the same amount of rotational angular momentum as it has of orbital angular momentum.
• B)The equality of the Moon's orbital and rotation periods is an extraordinary astronomical coincidence.
• C)The Moon was once closer to Earth, but the force of gravity got weaker as the Moon moved farther away.
• D)The Moon once rotated faster, but tidal friction slowed the rotation period until it matched the orbital period.

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Definitions:

Fertilization

A stage in reproduction during which an egg and a sperm fuse to create a single cell, called a zygote.

Fallopian Tube

A pair of tubes along which eggs travel from the ovaries to the uterus in the female reproductive system.

Ovum

A female reproductive cell or egg that, when fertilized by a sperm, can develop into a new organism.

Mercury

A chemical element with symbol Hg and atomic number 80, known as quicksilver, which is a liquid metal at room temperature.