Earth Moon System
Newton's Law of Gravitation: F=GMm/d2 | Example: Moon's force on places on Earth
- Note: Moon is 60RE from center of Earth
- Moon side: F = GMm/(592)
- Non-Moon side: F = GMm/(612)
- 1/592 > 1/612, so pull is stronger on closer side
Evolution of the Moon
1) Magma ocean (most of Moon melted)
2) Differentiation - plagioclase (lighter) floats, heavier olivine sinks
Crust (ancient highlands) made of plagioclase