Home
Class 11
PHYSICS
"Why is there no atmosphere on the Moon"...

"Why is there no atmosphere on the Moon" – Explain it in terms of escape velocity

Text Solution

Verified by Experts

`implies` Escape velocity of a body lying on the surface of earth is
`v_(e) = sqrt((2GM_(E))/R_(E))" "...(1)`
`implies` Let mass of moon in `M_(m) ` and radius `R_m` then the body lying on the suface of moon has escape velocity.
`(v_(e))_("moon")= sqrt((2GM_m)/(R_m))" "...(2)`
`implies` Substituting the values of `M_m and R_m` in above equation,
`(M_(m) = 7.36 xx 10^(22) kg`
`R_m = 1856 ` km
` = 1856 xx 10^(3) m)`
`(v_e)_("moon") = 0.23 xx10^(4) m//s`
`(v_(e))_("moon") = 2.3 xx 10^(4) km//s`
`implies` If gas exist on moon the speed of this gas is 2.3 km/s corresponds to the temperature on the moon. This speed is more than the value of escape velocity and hence the gases escapes from the gravitational field of moon and so there is no atmosphere.
Promotional Banner

Topper's Solved these Questions

  • GRAVITATION

    KUMAR PRAKASHAN|Exercise Section - A Try Yourself (VSQs)|76 Videos
  • GRAVITATION

    KUMAR PRAKASHAN|Exercise Section - B Numericals (Numerical From Textual Illustration)|15 Videos
  • LAW OF MOTION

    KUMAR PRAKASHAN|Exercise (QUESTION PAPER) SECTION-D|1 Videos

Similar Questions

Explore conceptually related problems

Define escape velocity

Explain the terms : FRC, IC

Define: OR Explain the terms: Spore

Define : OR Explain the terms : Response

Define : OR Explain the terms : Synapse

Define: OR Explain the terms: Gene

Define: OR Explain the terms: Flower

Define: OR Explain the terms Dams