In the figure shown below, the person on the Moon is standing at the same location on the Moon as the Moon rotates around the Earth. Based on this, we see that the Moon's rotational period is equal to:
A) the Earth's rotational period
B) half the Earth's rotational period
C) the Moon's orbital period
D) half the Moon's orbital period
E) the Earth's orbital period around the Sun

Question

In the figure shown below, the person on the Moon is standing at the same location on the Moon as the Moon rotates around the Earth. Based on this, we see that the Moon's rotational period is equal to: 
A) the Earth's rotational period 
B) half the Earth's rotational period 
C) the Moon's orbital period 
D) half the Moon's orbital period 
E) the Earth's orbital period around the Sun

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If the person on the Moon is standing at the same location on the Moon as it rotates around the Earth, it means that the Moon is tidally locked to the Earth, which means that the same side of the Moon always faces the Earth. This also means that the Moon takes the same time to complete one rotation on its axis as it does to complete one orbit around the Earth, which is its orbital period. Therefore, the correct answer is C) the Moon's orbital period.

In the Figure Shown Below, the Person on the Moon