Which celestial body has a surface temperature that ranges from about -430°F to 800°F? A) Venus B) Mars C) Mercury D) Jupiter
VerifiedAnswer: C) Mercury
Explanation:
Mercury is the correct answer because it experiences the most extreme temperature variations in our solar system. This small planet, closest to the Sun, has virtually no atmosphere to regulate its temperature, leading to these dramatic swings between scorching heat and freezing cold.
During Mercury's day, which lasts about 88 Earth days, the side facing the Sun can reach temperatures of around 800°F (427°C). This intense heat occurs because Mercury orbits very close to the Sun, receiving about seven times more solar energy per unit area than Earth does.
However, the story completely changes on Mercury's night side. Without an atmosphere to trap and distribute heat, temperatures plummet to approximately -430°F (-290°C). This creates a temperature difference of over 1,200°F between day and night - the largest temperature swing of any planet in our solar system.
Let's examine why the other options don't fit this temperature range:
• Venus maintains a consistently hot surface temperature of about 900°F (482°C) due to its thick atmosphere and extreme greenhouse effect, with very little temperature variation between day and night
• Mars has much milder temperature variations, typically ranging from about -195°F to 70°F (-125°C to 20°C), nowhere near the extreme range mentioned in the question
• Jupiter, being a gas giant, doesn't have a solid surface with measurable temperatures in the traditional sense, and its atmospheric temperatures are much different from the range given
Mercury's unique characteristics make it the only celestial body in our solar system that experiences this specific temperature range. Its proximity to the Sun, combined with its lack of atmospheric protection, creates these extreme conditions that would be impossible to survive. Understanding these temperature variations helps us appreciate how different planetary environments can be and why Mercury remains one of the most challenging planets to explore with spacecraft.
