What factor led scientists to believe the Moon had cooled rapidly after its formation?
Answer
Its small size
Cooling rates for planetary bodies are heavily influenced by their surface-to-volume ratio. Because the Moon is relatively small, it was widely assumed to have lost its internal heat to space quickly after the chaotic early years of the solar system. This standard geological model suggested the Moon lacked the radioactive decay or tidal heating necessary to maintain a molten interior for long periods, leading to the assumption that it was geologically dead billions of years ago.
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