MadSci Network: Astronomy |
The composition of the moon is primarily rocks (very similar to the rocks found in the earth crust and mantle) with possibly a very small iron core. The evidence is inconclusive if it has or does not have an iron core. In any case, the moon and the earth are attracted to each other by gravitational forces, not by magnetic forces. The attraction depends only on the masses of the earth and the moon and inversely on the square of the distance between the earth and the moon. Even if the moon and the earth were completely made of iron but had the same masses and distance between them as now, then the attraction would be the same as it is now. Reference: Any introductory astronomy text, such as Foundations of Astronomy, 4th ed, by Mike Seeds, p81-83 (Newton's law of Universal Gravition) and p.452, (cross section of Moon and composition)
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