Formation of the Moon

Which of the following best describes the widely accepted theory for the formation of the moon:

• An asteroid flew into Earth's gravitational field and was caught and trapped.

• An asteroid roughly the size of mars smashed into Earth and cleaved off a large section of debris. The debris condensed into the moon.

• The moon formed as simultaneously with the Earth as planetesimals smashed together to created the Earth-Moon system.

• There is no accepted theory for the formation of the moon. No one has any idea how it got there.

• The moon is actually a large alien space ship that monitors human technological progress

The Moon most likely formed from an impact of a Mars-size object with early Earth.

• True

• False

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-6

How was the moon formed?

• The moon has always been there

• Giant impact

• Capture of an asteroid

• A great wizard magically made it

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-6

The collision theory for the formation of the Moon describes an object the same size as Mars. What was this object?

• an asteroid

• a newly formed star

• a newly formed planet

• a comet from outside the Solar System

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-6

What theory best explains the formation of the Moon?

• Giant Impact Hypothesis

• Capture Theory

• Steady State Theory

• Coformation (Sister) Theory

What theory of formation is most widely accepted for Earth's moon?

• the simultaneous formation

• the plate tectonic theory

• the impact theory

• the capture theory

Evaluate the Giant Impact Hypothesis for the formation of the Moon and provide evidence that supports this theory.

• The Moon was captured by Earth's gravity.

• The Moon formed from the same cloud of gas and dust as Earth.

• The Moon formed from debris after a Mars-sized body collided with Earth.

• The Moon was spun off from a rapidly rotating Earth.

Tags

DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

Compare and contrast the Synestia Theory with the Giant Impact Hypothesis for the formation of the Moon.

• Both theories suggest the Moon was captured by Earth's gravity.

• Both theories suggest the Moon formed from the same cloud of gas and dust as Earth.

• Both theories suggest the Moon formed from debris after a collision.

• Both theories suggest the Moon was spun off from a rapidly rotating Earth.

Tags

DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

When did the moon form?

• About 4.6 billion years ago

• About 4.6 million years ago

• 20,000 years ago

• 13.6 billion years ago

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-6

Evaluate the different theories of Moon formation and argue which theory you find most convincing. Support your argument with evidence from scientific research.

• The Fission Theory

• The Capture Theory

• The Giant Impact Hypothesis

• The Co-formation Theory

Tags

DOK Level 4: Extended Thinking