Loose Leaf For Explorations: Introduction To Astronomy
9th Edition
ISBN: 9781260432145
Author: Thomas T Arny, Stephen E Schneider Professor
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education
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Textbook Question
Chapter 7, Problem 1QFR
Describe a crater and how it is formed. Why do some craters contain maria?
Expert Solution & Answer
To determine
The process of crater formation and the reason why some craters contain maria.
Answer to Problem 1QFR
Crater is the numerous circular pits that are in the bright area with a raised rim and the central peak. It is formed by asteroids or meteorites colliding on Moon’s surface. When larger bodies hit the Moon’s surface before its interior solidified, craters with maria are formed.
Explanation of Solution
Craters are the bright areas with large circular pits. It formed when the surface of the Moon is hit by asteroids and meteorites and splashing the surface, as a raindrop falling into water, creating a circular pit with central peak and raised rim. The diameter and the depth of the crater depends on the velocity and the mass of the bodies that struck the Moon’s surface.
When larger bodies struck the surface of the Moon before the interior of the moon undergone complete solidification, a much deeper crater is created and molten lava comes out of the Moon’s interior and fills the surface. Eventually, this area is cooled and this area is called maria.
Conclusion:
Crater is the bright area with numerous circular pits, raised rim and the central peak. It is formed by asteroids or meteorites colliding on Moon’s surface. When larger bodies hits the Moon’s surface forms craters with maria.
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Students have asked these similar questions
Hellas Planitia includes the word "planitia" which is the latin word for "plain" in its name.
The name would seem to indicate thats Hellas Planitia is a low lying plain, yet it is clearly a crater, and a very large one at that.
The most probable reason for this discrepancy in its name is because:
a. It is a simple naming error that for some reason has so far escaped correction.
b. There is a disagreement among astronomers about the true nature of Hellas Planitia.
c. Its true nature was not apparent over 100 years ago when it was observed using ground based telescopes.
d. Astronomers really know its true nature and misconceptions among the public among the public are not of great concern to them.
Which of the following is least reasonable regarding impact craters?
Group of answer choices
The size and shape of the crater and the amount of material excavated depends on factors such as the velocity and mass of the impacting body and the geology of the surface.
Craters are most often are circular but more elongate craters can be produced with impactors striking the surface at very low angles.
The Moon has more craters than the Earth because of its strong tidal force on the impactors.
Objects from space typically hit Earth at about 20 km/s ande produce craters that can be approximately 20 times larger in diameter than the impacting objects.
The faster the incoming impactor, the larger the crater.
Why are Mercury and the Moon so much more heavily cratered than the Earth?
Explain how crater counts tell us the age of a surface.
Chapter 7 Solutions
Loose Leaf For Explorations: Introduction To Astronomy
Ch. 7 - Describe a crater and how it is formed. Why do...Ch. 7 - How do the maria differ from the highlands?Ch. 7 - Prob. 3QFRCh. 7 - What formed the maria? Why are they smooth?Ch. 7 - Prob. 5QFRCh. 7 - Prob. 6QFRCh. 7 - Why does the Moon lack an atmosphere?Ch. 7 - Prob. 8QFRCh. 7 - How do astronomers think the Moon formed? What...Ch. 7 - Why is the Moons surface heavily cratered but...
Ch. 7 - Prob. 11QFRCh. 7 - Prob. 12QFRCh. 7 - Prob. 13QFRCh. 7 - Highway surfaces develop potholes over time. How...Ch. 7 - Bergmanns rule states that individuals of a given...Ch. 7 - Prob. 3TQCh. 7 - Why will an astronauts footprint on the Moon last...Ch. 7 - Prob. 5TQCh. 7 - Prob. 6TQCh. 7 - If the day were 12 hours long, what would be the...Ch. 7 - Prob. 8TQCh. 7 - Why do tides happen about an hour later each day?Ch. 7 - Prob. 1PCh. 7 - Prob. 2PCh. 7 - Prob. 3PCh. 7 - Prob. 4PCh. 7 - Prob. 5PCh. 7 - Prob. 6PCh. 7 - Prob. 7PCh. 7 - Prob. 8PCh. 7 - Prob. 9PCh. 7 - Prob. 1TYCh. 7 - Prob. 2TYCh. 7 - Prob. 3TYCh. 7 - Prob. 4TYCh. 7 - Prob. 5TYCh. 7 - Prob. 6TY
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