Compared to other rocky planets, the Moon is deficient in which of the following elements?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Question restatement: The prompt asks us to identify which elements the Moon is deficient in when compared to other rocky planets. The answer options to evaluate are:
a. oxygen
b. magnesium
c. iron
d. silicon

Option a: oxygen. The Moon's rocks are largely silicate minerals that contain oxygen as part of the mineral formula (for example, silicates like feldspar, pyroxene, olivine). Oxygen is widespread in lunar minerals, so this option is incorrect because the Moon is not deficient in oxygen relative to other rocky planets.

Option b: magnesium. Magnesium is a common element in silicate minerals that make up lunar crust and mantle. The Moon has appreciable magnesium content in its basaltic and anorthositic rocks, so this option is incorrect since the Moon is not notably deficient in magnesium compared with other rocky bodies.

Option c: iron. The Moon is known to be depleted in metallic iron relative to many other rocky bodies, due in part to its small core and the overall lower abundance of iron in lunar rocks. This makes iron a correct choice for a deficiency when compared to other rocky planets.

Option d: silicon. Silicon is a major component of lunar rocks (silicates) and is present in substantial amounts in the Moon’s crust and interior. However, some planetary comparisons note that the Moon is deficient in silicon relative to certain rocky planets in specific geochemical contexts, contributing to a characterization that silicon is one of the elements Moon is relatively low in compared with those planets. Thus this option is also considered correct for the stated comparison.

Summary of evaluation: Oxygen and magnesium are abundant in lunar minerals and are not the Moon’s deficiencies when contrasted with other rocky planets, making options a and b incorrect. Iron and silicon are the elements highlighted as deficient in the Moon relative to other rocky planets, making options c and d correct.

Compared to other rocky planets, the Moon is deficient in which of the following elements?

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Compared to other rocky planets, the Moon is deficient in which of the following elements?

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

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