The escape velocity on the surface of the moon is small because_______

Options

A. the moon's gravitational pull is small
B. the moon has no atmosphere
C. the moon is not a planet
D. the moon is revolving around the earth.

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Escape Velocity**:
Escape velocity is the minimum speed needed for an object to break free from the gravitational attraction of a celestial body without any additional propulsion. The formula for escape velocity (VE) is given by:
\[ V_E = \sqrt{\frac{2GM}{R}} \]
where \( G \) is the gravitational constant, \( M \) is the mass of the celestial body (in this case, the Moon), and \( R \) is the radius of the celestial body.

2. **Factors Affecting Escape Velocity**:
From the formula, we can see that escape velocity depends on two main factors: the mass of the celestial body (M) and its radius (R). A larger mass increases escape velocity, while a larger radius decreases it.

3. **Gravitational Pull**:
The gravitational pull (force) on the surface of a celestial body is given by:
\[ F_g = \frac{GM}{R^2} \]
If the gravitational pull is weak (small), then the escape velocity will also be small.

4. **Analyzing the Moon**:
The Moon has a smaller mass compared to Earth, which means its gravitational pull is weaker. This weaker gravitational pull results in a lower escape velocity.

5. **Conclusion**:
Therefore, the escape velocity on the surface of the Moon is small primarily because the Moon's gravitational pull is small.

**Final Answer**: The escape velocity on the surface of the moon is small because the moon's gravitational pull is small.

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