Why does the Moon experience extreme temperature changes?

The Moon experiences extreme temperature changes primarily because it has no atmosphere. An atmosphere plays a crucial role in regulating temperature by trapping heat and distributing it more evenly across a celestial body. Without an atmosphere, the Moon cannot retain heat during the lunar night, which lasts about 14 Earth days, leading to extremely cold temperatures as low as -173 degrees Celsius (-280 degrees Fahrenheit).

Conversely, when the Moon is exposed to sunlight during the lunar day, temperatures can soar to about 127 degrees Celsius (260 degrees Fahrenheit). This lack of an insulating layer means that the Moon experiences rapid temperature fluctuations between day and night, highlighting the significant impact that an atmosphere can have on maintaining temperature stability.

Other choices suggest qualities that would influence temperature regulation; however, only the absence of an atmosphere directly explains the Moon's extreme temperatures.