Download Activity – Exploring the Moon

Unit 2 – Earth-Moon-Sun System
Earth Science 11
Activity – Exploring the Moon
Name:
Block:
Use pages 770-774 in your textbook.
Part 1 – The Lunar Surface
1. What's another term for moon?
2. When we look into the moon at night it is quite bright, but astronauts say the
lunar surface is dark. Why does the moon look bright to us on Earth, but is
actually dark on the surface?
3. a) What is the albedo of the moon?
b) What is the percentage difference is the amount of light the Earth reflects
compared to the amount of light the moon reflect?
4. Why does the surface of the moon get extremely hot during the day (127 oC) and
extremely cold during the evening (-173oC)?
5. Describe the surface of the lunar highlands and lunar maria (singular: mare)?
Highlands
Maria
6. On the next page you will find a blank lunar surface map. Use the guide on page
3 to help you label the blank lunar surface map on page 2.
Unit 2 – Earth-Moon-Sun System
Earth Science 11
7.
Part 2 - Lunar Craters
1. How are impact craters formed?
2. What are ejecta?
3. Describe how rays are formed.
4.
are meandering, valley-like structures that might be
collapsed lava tubes.
Unit 2 – Earth-Moon-Sun System
Earth Science 11
Part 3 - Lunar Properties
1. What three unique properties does the Earth’s moon have among all other
moons?
a.
b.
c.
2. Fill in the following table using TABLE 27.2 on pg. 772
Table 27.2 The Moon and Earth
The Moon
Earth
Mass (kg)
Radius (km)
Volume (km3)
Density (kg/m3)
3. The Moon is made up of minerals similar to those of Earth. What are those
minerals?
Part 4 - History of the Moon
1. How old do scientist predict the lunar surface is?
2. a) Scientists infer that the moon has layers like the Earth. What are the names of
these layers?
b) What is the moon's core made up of?
3. Draw and label Figure 27.11 – The Moon's Layers
Unit 2 – Earth-Moon-Sun System
Earth Science 11
4. How often do moonquakes occur?
5. Does the moon have active volcanoes or a significant magnetic field?
6. Describe how the formation of Earth’s mountain different than the lunar
mountains?
Part 5 – Formation of the Moon
1. What is the impact theory?
2. What is the explanation of the Moon’s crust being similar in chemical composition
as the Earth’s?
3. Draw and label Figure 27.13 (The Impact Theory of the Moon's Formation) on
pg. 774