Question

Read the summary of the main ideas of the article below. Earth's rotation is what makes our planet habitable and gives us day and night. The moon plays a role in Earth's rotation, as gravity from it causes tides in Earth's oceans. Additionally, friction between the Earth and its oceans is causing Earth's rotation to slow down gradually over time. Which answer choice would best complete the summary?

1) Mercury's rotation is much slower than Earth's, and Uranus' axis is pointed toward the sun.
2) The other planets in our solar system also rotate because of collisions with one another as the solar system was formed.
3) Just as all planets rotate, all planets also orbit the sun in the same way because of how our solar system was formed.
4) Gravity and friction are both important forces that influence the Earth's rotation.

Answer 1

The best answer choice to complete the summary is 4) Gravity and friction are both important forces that influence the Earth's rotation, as it is most relevant to the effects of the Moon's gravity and Earth's oceanic friction covered in the article.

Step-by-step explanation:

You asked which answer choice would best complete the summary of how Earth's rotation is influenced by the Moon and other factors. The most suitable option is 4) Gravity and friction are both important forces that influence the Earth's rotation. This choice directly relates to the main ideas of the article, which discusses the effects of the Moon's gravity causing ocean tides and the subsequent friction between the Earth and its oceans slowing Earth's rotation over time.

The other planets in our solar system indeed rotate, but their dynamics, such as Mercury's slow rotation or Uranus's axial tilt, are not as relevant to the conclusion of the Earth-centric summary you provided.