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QuizMultiple Choice

Unit 9 Test

Question 4 • (OC27) Earth/Space Sci-2001310-S2-Nelson

Why does the same side of the Moon always face Earth?

Answer
A
The Moon no longer rotates on its axis.
B
Earth’s gravity pulls more on one side of the Moon than the other.
C
The Sun’s gravity keeps the Moon in the same position next to Earth.
D
It takes the same amount of time for the Moon to rotate as it does to revolve.

Explanation

The Moon rotates once on its axis in about the same time that it takes to orbit Earth. Because these two periods match, the same hemisphere stays pointed toward Earth as the Moon travels around it. The Moon does rotate; choice A is incorrect.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.

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