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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Earth and Moon?

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The Earth and Moon are two very different planetary objects, and there are several key differences between them:

  1. Size: The Moon is much smaller than Earth, with a diameter of 2,159 miles (3,476 kilometers), making it about one-quarter the size of Earth.
  2. Mass: The Moon's mass is significantly smaller than Earth's, weighing about 80 times less.
  3. Atmosphere: Earth has a multi-layered and strong atmosphere, while the Moon does not have a strong atmosphere around it.
  4. Surface Area: The surface area of the Moon is 37.8 million square kilometers, while the surface area of the Earth is 510 million square kilometers.
  5. Distance from the Sun: Earth is situated at a distance of 149,668,992 km (93,000,000 miles) from the Sun, while the Moon is 384,000 km away from Earth.
  6. Support for Life: Earth supports life, while the Moon does not.
  7. Spheres: Earth has different spheres (atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, and cryosphere) that support life, but the Moon does not have such spheres.
  8. Surface Features: The surface of the Moon is filled with craters, while Earth's surface is covered with trees, soil, water, and man-made structures.
  9. Seasons: Earth experiences different seasons due to its tilted axis of 23.5 degrees, while the Moon does not have seasons.
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  • What is the Difference Between Earth and Moon?
  • Comparative Table: Earth vs Moon

    • Comparative Table: Earth vs Moon

    Here is a table comparing the differences between Earth and the Moon:

    Feature Earth Moon
    Surface Area 1.73 billion sq miles (4.54 billion sq kilometers) Unknown (but significantly smaller)
    Surface Gravity 9.81 m/s² (approximately) 1.62 m/s² (approximately)
    Atmosphere Yes, a thick and diverse atmosphere with various gases and weather phenomena Almost none, a very thin and sparse atmosphere with traces of gases like argon-40, helium-4, neon-20, and hydrogen
    Temperature Average global temperature is 14-16°C (57.2-60.8°F) Average global temperature is -23°C (-9.4°F), with extreme variations from -173°C (-278.7°F) to over 127°C (260.6°F)
    Topography Extremely varied topography due to geological processes and erosion Less varied topography, with few volcanoes and large impact craters
    Primary Constituent Iron, oxygen, silicon, and magnesium Oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, and magnesium

    These differences in characteristics are primarily due to the Moon's smaller size, slower cooling, and lack of an atmosphere. Earth's surface is more dynamic and affected by various geological and atmospheric processes, while the Moon's surface is relatively static and unchanged over long periods of time.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.