What would the effect be of an Earth-like planet without a moon?

Question

Still viable for life? Evolution? Other Effects? Specifically, would the vegetation be different, the geology, navigation, etc?

Answer 1

Most likely it would be little like Earth because the moon is a vital part of the biosphere and effects tides as well as lots of other events. Just the tides not being there would alter the biosphere. Then there is the spin of Earth which no doubt is a moon connected process even if science does not agree.

Answer 2

Evolution is the mutation of organisms
in response to their environment.
In other words, any changes to that environment
may cause mutations
(yes, in that regard, we are all mutants!). =8o

It is not a fixed point in the sky,
as is the North Star, Polaris,
so it cannot be used for navigation,
unless you happen to know exactly
where you are to begin with
and what the current time is
(in other words, by experts!).

However, the moon is perfectly suited as a "calendar".

Lunar gravity affects our ocean tides,
and even helps keep the Earth's shape
(haven't you ever noticed that the Earth never goes on a diet?), ;)
which in the dawn of whatever caused life to occur on this planet,
could just as easily have drowned it,
thus preventing it from spawning,
and, conversely, have been responsible
for nurturing that same life
by improving the ebb and flow of tides.
So, in that regard, it does have an effect on evolution.

And, yes, water is responsible for some of our planet's
geological formations, such as the Grand Canyon.
Furthermore, the craters on the moon are evidence
that many asteroids and meteors were prevented
from colliding on Earth, thus, the moon may have helped
both life and geology!

So, would a moonless Earth have created life?
Probably!
What would it have been like?
Impossible to say!

P.S. I expect to be given credit for your homework assignment! ;)

Answer 3

without the moon, we could all grow to be shell like creatures that's certainly undemanding that the moon reasons tides, even with the shown fact that the solar could even have an impact upon tides if the moon replaced into bumped off. that's predicted that without the moon, tides could nonetheless exist yet could be one third as extreme as they're immediately. without the moon we'd basically have low and extreme tides, as there could be no neap or spring tides that ensue while the solar and moon are on opposite facets of the earth. If the moon replaced into taken away there could additionally be an consequence on earth's rotation. without the moon's considerable gravitational pull, the earth could rotate quicker, possibly plenty quicker, making days in the international shorter. speedy rotation could reason quicker winds, many accomplishing hurricane proportions. Over very long classes of time - billions of years - the moon has had a stabilising consequence on earth's tilt. through fact the earth rotates on its axis it has a average tilt throughout the time of the direction of its orbit around the solar. This consequences interior the various seasons and is led to by ability of the gravitational pull of the solar and Jupiter. The moon has an consequence in stabilising this tilt and so ensures that seasonal climatic extremes are actually not as great as they could be. it extremely is not undemanding to verify what consequence the disappearance of the moon could have immediately. Many evolutionary theories propose that existence won't have existed in any respect if it weren't for the moon. the belief is that existence developed from the primordial soup as a consequence of its progression in rock swimming pools and that tides performed a considerable section in blending the climate and then washing them into the oceans.

Answer 4

I don't think there would be much of a difference at all. The moon contributes to the tides. On a planet with out a moon the tide would be according to the sun and probably much smaller tidal changes.

Answer 5

there would be no life on a planet with no moon.our own moons gravitational pull on the earth keeps a number of things in balance.a planet with no moon would have constant earthquakes,volcanic eruptions,tsunami tidal waves.the night side of the planet would be about 300 degrees below zero f. and the day side would be about 300 degrees above zero f.
the massive build-up of sulfer dioxide from the volcanoes would be the major reason for no life on this planet.our own planet was in this same condition at one time,over 50 billion years ago before it had a moon

Answer 6

Tidal fluctuation would be the biggest effect if water was present.
The moon isn't used to often for navigation other then pointing at it and saying, "Go that way."

Answer 7

well we could still live but there would be no more tide which we need

Answer 8

http://www.astronomycafe.net/qadir/q106.html

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn4786.html