MCQ Detailed View

We always see the same face of the Moon from Earth because the Moon exhibits synchronous rotation. This means that the time it takes for the Moon to rotate on its own axis is exactly equal to the time it takes to revolve around the Earth.

As a result, the Moon always presents the same hemisphere toward Earth. This phenomenon occurs due to the gravitational interaction between Earth and the Moon, which has gradually slowed the Moon’s rotation over millions of years until it became locked in this tidal resonance.

Other options are not correct:

• 
  

  The Moon’s size relative to Earth has no effect on which side is visible.

  
  


• 
  

  The Moon does not rotate in the opposite direction; its rotation is in the same direction as its orbit.

  
  


• 
  

  The rotation speed of the Moon is independent of the Earth’s motion around the Sun.

  
  

Because of synchronous rotation, we have a near side that always faces Earth and a far side that we cannot see without satellites or space missions. The far side was first imaged by the Soviet Luna 3 mission in 1959. Understanding this concept is key to studying orbital mechanics, tidal forces, and celestial motion.

This knowledge also helps explain why tidal locking occurs in other planetary satellites in the solar system. Many moons of other planets also show the same face to their parent planet because of similar gravitational effects.

This question belongs to Astronomy, specifically under lunar motion and tidal locking, and it is part of Everyday Science knowledge. Students learning this concept gain insight into the Moon’s rotation, revolution, and gravitational interactions with Earth, which are essential principles in celestial mechanics.