Question

Which of the following best describes how the Earth's Moon formed?

a. The Earth and the Moon formed at the same time when a protoplanet split apart.
b. Early in the history of our Solar System, an asteroid was captured by the Earth's gravity and became the Moon.
c. Early in the history of our Solar System, a protoplanet collided with the Earth, sending debris into orbit that coalesced to form the Moon.
d. Early in the history of our Solar System, a group of comets was captured by the Earth's gravity and coalesced to form the Moon.

Answer 1

The Earth's Moon formed when a Mars-sized protoplanet collided with Earth, sending debris into orbit that eventually coalesced into the Moon, according to the giant impact hypothesis.

Step-by-step explanation:

Early in the history of our Solar System, a protoplanet collided with the Earth, sending debris into orbit that coalesced to form the Moon.

This description aligns with the giant impact hypothesis, which is currently the most widely accepted explanation for the Moon's origin. Scientists suggest that about 4.5 billion years ago, a Mars-sized object struck the Earth. This colossal impact ejected a significant amount of debris into Earth's orbit. Over time, this material coalesced due to gravity, eventually forming the Moon. The theory is supported by a vast array of evidence, including the composition of Moon rocks, which show a similarity to Earth's mantle, and computer simulations that have demonstrated how such an impact could result in the formation of a satellite like our Moon.