how does the size of the moon's core support the impact theory of the moon's formation?
please help and thank you
To understand how the size of the Moon's core supports the impact theory of the Moon's formation, we first need to understand the impact theory itself.
According to the impact theory, the Moon was formed as a result of a giant impact between a Mars-sized protoplanet (often called Theia) and the early Earth. This impact was so violent that it caused the ejection of a large amount of debris into space. Over time, this debris coalesced and eventually formed the Moon.
Now, coming to the size of the Moon's core. The Moon is composed of several layers, including a core, a mantle, and a crust. The Moon's core is relatively small compared to its overall size. It is estimated to be about 2-4% of the Moon's total mass.
The impact theory suggests that during the collision between Theia and the early Earth, most of Theia's material became incorporated into the growing Moon, while a smaller portion mixed with the Earth. Therefore, the Moon's core would primarily consist of Theia's core material, which was smaller in size.
The fact that the Moon's core is proportionately smaller compared to its overall size supports the impact theory. If the Moon had a larger core relative to its size, it would indicate that the Moon formed through a different mechanism, such as through gradual accretion (where materials slowly come together to form a larger body), rather than a giant impact.
Additionally, further evidence that supports the impact theory comes from the study of lunar samples collected during the Apollo missions. The isotopic analysis of these samples revealed that the Moon's composition is different from the Earth's mantle. This supports the idea that the Moon formed from a different source, suggesting a giant impact scenario.
In summary, the smaller size of the Moon's core compared to its overall size is consistent with the impact theory of the Moon's formation.