Why is there no atmosphere on the moon?

Question

Defend your answer

Answer 1

There are two reasons.

First, the moon has far less mass than a planet due to its small size. Thus, it has very little gravity to hold an atmosphere together.

Second, the moon has no coherent magnetic field. As a result, any gases released on the moon, if there are any, would be ripped away quickly by the solar wind.

Answer 2

The moon actually does have an atmosphere, but it is very thin, in that it isn't pure vaccuum! The moon's gravity is only 1/6th of the Earth's. Look at Mars' atmosphere. Mars has 1/3rd of our gravity and an atmosphere that borders on too thin to survive on. Divide that fully in half, plus a body like the moon less than half the size of Mars, and you get a relativly small rocky sphere, with not enough gravity to hold an atmosphere. Strangely enough though, the moon has remnants of an ancient magnetic field..just never a significant atmosphere.

P.S. Part of the moon's atmopshere is made up of rocket fuel in other words, the "air" on the moon is polluted. (seriously)

Answer 3

The gravity of the moon is not enough to maintain a gas molecule in place against the heat of the sun (that gives it enough velocity to reach orbit and thus escape in space)
The earth also suffers from a steady venting of atmosphereic gasses in the upper atmosphere but this loss is compensated by the number of micro meteorites that vaporise falling into the atmospher and volcanism (the moon is not geologically active) release gasses as well.

Answer 4

NOT ENOUGH GRAVITY

In order to have an atmosphere there needs to be air molecules and there are no air molecules on the moon because the gravitational field on the moon is not strong enough to hold the air molecules. The same is kinda happening to mars.

Answer 5

Basically, because it is too tiny. The Moon does not have a strong enough gravitational field to support an atmosphere.

Answer 6

The moon is not massive enough, therefore it does not produce a gravitational pull strong enough to hold an atmosphere.

Answer 7

Atmospheres are made up of gasses.
Gasses are VERY light.
The moon does not have sufficient mass to create the gravitational field necessary to hold a big cloud of gas together.
I rest my case.

Answer 8

Because the furniture won't stay put?? (get it: every room has atmosphere?) Oh come on, that was worth a chuckle. No?

Answer 9

There is not enough gravity to hold it.