The Moon: Tides and Formation

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts discussed in the lecture about the Moon's influence on Earth, its formation theories, and its geological characteristics.

Earth and Moon System

The unique relationship between Earth and the Moon, influencing each other's evolution and effects.

Tides

The periodic rise and fall of sea levels as a result of the gravitational interactions with the Moon and the Sun.

Lunar Tidal Bulges

The bulges created in Earth’s oceans due to the Moon's gravitational pull, resulting in two high tides.

Spring Tides

The tides that occur with the greatest variation between high and low tide during new and full Moon phases.

Neap Tides

The tides that exhibit the smallest variation between high and low tide during the first and third quarter Moon phases.

Tidal Locking

A phenomenon where the Moon's rotation period matches its orbital period, causing the same side to always face Earth.

Late Heavy Bombardment

A hypothesized period of intense asteroid and comet impacts on the Moon occurring approximately 3.9 billion years ago.

Apollo Missions

NASA's missions aimed at exploring the Moon, including studying its interior through seismographic measurements.

Capture Hypothesis

One theory proposing that the Moon was formed elsewhere and captured by Earth's gravity.

Impact Hypothesis

The currently accepted theory stating that the Moon formed from debris after a Mars-sized body impacted early Earth.