Conceptual Physics (12th Edition)

Published by Addison-Wesley
ISBN 10: 0321909100
ISBN 13: 978-0-32190-910-7

Chapter 14 - Think and Explain - Page 279-281: 49

Answer

There is no atmosphere because many gas molecules have enough speed to escape the moon's weaker gravitational pull.

Work Step by Step

Page 199 shows that the lunar escape velocity is only about 22% that of Earth's.
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