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In contrast to Earth, the Moon undergoes extremes in tempera- ture. Why?

In contrast to Earth, the Moon undergoes extremes in tempera- ture. Why?

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**Why Does the Moon Experience Extreme Temperature Fluctuations?** In contrast to Earth, the Moon undergoes extremes in temperature. Why? --- **Explanation:** The image contains a question, commonly found in educational material, that addresses the differences in temperature fluctuations between Earth and the Moon. The query intends to probe into the reasons behind the Moon's extreme temperature variations compared to Earth. To answer this question, one needs to consider several factors: 1. **Lack of Atmosphere:** - The Moon does not have a significant atmosphere to trap heat. On Earth, the atmosphere acts as an insulating layer, regulating temperature by trapping heat during the night and blocking some solar radiation during the day. 2. **Surface Material:** - The Moon's surface is composed of regolith, a layer of loose, heterogeneous material covering solid rock. This material has low thermal conductivity, causing it to heat up and cool down quickly. 3. **Day and Night Duration:** - A day on the Moon (from one sunrise to the next) is about 29.5 Earth days. This prolonged exposure to sunlight and extended night periods contribute to the extreme temperature variations. 4. **Distance from the Sun:** - Although the Moon is essentially at the same average distance from the Sun as Earth, the lack of an atmosphere and other factors play a more critical role in temperature regulation. Understanding these principles helps elucidate why the Moon experiences such significant temperature swings, ranging from extremely hot during the lunar day to frigidly cold during the lunar night.
Transcribed Image Text:**Why Does the Moon Experience Extreme Temperature Fluctuations?** In contrast to Earth, the Moon undergoes extremes in temperature. Why? --- **Explanation:** The image contains a question, commonly found in educational material, that addresses the differences in temperature fluctuations between Earth and the Moon. The query intends to probe into the reasons behind the Moon's extreme temperature variations compared to Earth. To answer this question, one needs to consider several factors: 1. **Lack of Atmosphere:** - The Moon does not have a significant atmosphere to trap heat. On Earth, the atmosphere acts as an insulating layer, regulating temperature by trapping heat during the night and blocking some solar radiation during the day. 2. **Surface Material:** - The Moon's surface is composed of regolith, a layer of loose, heterogeneous material covering solid rock. This material has low thermal conductivity, causing it to heat up and cool down quickly. 3. **Day and Night Duration:** - A day on the Moon (from one sunrise to the next) is about 29.5 Earth days. This prolonged exposure to sunlight and extended night periods contribute to the extreme temperature variations. 4. **Distance from the Sun:** - Although the Moon is essentially at the same average distance from the Sun as Earth, the lack of an atmosphere and other factors play a more critical role in temperature regulation. Understanding these principles helps elucidate why the Moon experiences such significant temperature swings, ranging from extremely hot during the lunar day to frigidly cold during the lunar night.
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