How do scientists know that mercury is older than earth?

Answer 1

The surface of Mercury is very heavily cratered. This indicates that there is little or nothing working to wear down the craters. The surface must be at least as old as the craters, many of which date to the early solar system.

Answer 2

Scientists believe that Mercury is older than Earth because it formed from the same primordial nebula that gave rise to the sun and the rest of the solar system. This belief is supported by the similarities in the chemical composition and isotopic ratios of mercury and the sun. Additionally, studies of meteorites that are thought to be remnants of the early solar system also provide evidence for the age of mercury.

Answer 3

On planets such as Earth, Venus, and Mars, various geologic process renew the surfaces over time, covering up or destroying older impact craters in the process. Any craters on a planet must therefore have formed since that area was last resurfaced. Through much of the solar system's history impacts have occurred at a nearly constant rate, so the density of cratering can provide a rough estimate of a given area of a planet's surface. Extremely dense cratering, such as that seen on Mercury or the moon suggest that the surface has not been renewed since the solar system was newly formed, a time when impacts were more common.

Answer 4

Scientists look at surrounding stars and the color of the surface of Mercury. ;) Hope this helps!

Answer 5

We don't.
Best guess is that the two are of approximate equal age.

Answer 6

Mercury is closer to the sun than Earth is thus more heat gets to Mercury and less and less to farther away planets.

Answer 7

It is further away from the Sun, so the less heat reaches it.

Answer 8

carbon dating

Answer 9

Go look on a documentary =]

Answer 10

No, they are approx the same age.