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
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
Lunar Tides
Effects of tides on Earth | Water slops, so you get bulges (2)
- Version 1: Moon pulls water away from Earth on close side, Earth away from water on far side
- Version 2 (Better): The water where Moon is rising or setting pulled one way or the other