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Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and it also has a very eccentric orbit. At its perihelion it is only 46 million km from the Sun - compared to 147 million for the Earth. The intensity of solar radiation (across the whole spectrum) is 4.6 to 10.6 times that on Earth. Furthermore, Mercury has no significant atmosphere to redistribute the heat from the insolation. As a result temperatures at perihelion, in direct sunlight reaches 700 K. Meanwhile, the near-absence of an atmosphere allows the heat to be radiated away into space at night so that temperatures drop to 80 K.

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Why do temperatures on mercury vary so much?

Temperatures on Mercury vary dramatically due to its lack of a significant atmosphere, which means there is minimal insulation to retain heat. During the day, the surface can reach temperatures of up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit (427 degrees Celsius) as it basks in direct sunlight. Conversely, at night, temperatures can plummet to about -330 degrees Fahrenheit (-201 degrees Celsius) since there is no atmosphere to trap the heat. This extreme temperature fluctuation is a result of its slow rotation and proximity to the Sun.


Why can't mercury thermometers go past -40?

Mercury thermometers can go past -40 degrees Celsius. However, mercury freezes at temperatures below -39 degrees Celsius, so the thermometer will not be able to register lower temperatures accurately.


Which of the following Daytime temperatures on Mercury are extremely hot because?

Daytime temperatures on Mercury are extremely hot because the planet has very little atmosphere to retain heat, so there is no insulation to trap the heat from the sun. Additionally, Mercury is the closest planet to the sun, resulting in intense solar radiation that contributes to the high temperatures.


Which is hotter mars or mercury?

Mercury is hotter than Mars. Mercury is the closest planet to the sun, so its proximity results in higher temperatures compared to Mars. Additionally, Mercury has an extremely thin atmosphere that cannot retain heat, causing its surface temperatures to vary greatly between day and night.


Can a creature survive on mercury?

No, it is highly unlikely that a creature could survive on Mercury due to its extreme conditions. The planet has very high temperatures during the day and extremely cold temperatures at night, as well as high radiation levels. Additionally, Mercury has very little atmosphere to support life as we know it.

Related Questions

How do temperatures on the moon different from the earth?

Temperatures vary so much because the moon does not have an atmosphere.


How do temperatures on the moon different from those on earth?

Temperatures vary so much because the moon does not have an atmosphere.


Why does mercury's temp vary so much?

Mercury's temperature varies greatly because it has almost no atmosphere to trap heat, causing extreme temperature changes between its day and night sides. During the day, temperatures can reach up to 800°F (430°C) due to the intense heat from the Sun. At night, temperatures can drop as low as -290°F (-180°C) because there is no atmosphere to retain the heat.


Why do temperatures on mercury vary so much?

Temperatures on Mercury vary dramatically due to its lack of a significant atmosphere, which means there is minimal insulation to retain heat. During the day, the surface can reach temperatures of up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit (427 degrees Celsius) as it basks in direct sunlight. Conversely, at night, temperatures can plummet to about -330 degrees Fahrenheit (-201 degrees Celsius) since there is no atmosphere to trap the heat. This extreme temperature fluctuation is a result of its slow rotation and proximity to the Sun.


Why can't mercury thermometers go past -40?

Mercury thermometers can go past -40 degrees Celsius. However, mercury freezes at temperatures below -39 degrees Celsius, so the thermometer will not be able to register lower temperatures accurately.


Can Mercury be freezed?

Yes, Mercury can be frozen. It has a freezing point of -38.83°C (-37.89°F), so at temperatures that low, Mercury will solidify into a shiny, silvery-white metal.


What are the average temperatures on Mercury?

VERY COLD! Mercury has no atmosphere to retain the heat, so on the side not facing the Sun, it can get down to like, -270 degrees Fahrenheit


How do temperatures on the moon differ from those on Earth?

Temperatures on the moon can vary significantly, ranging from extremely hot during the day (up to 127 degrees Celsius) to very cold at night (as low as -173 degrees Celsius). This is due to the lack of atmosphere to regulate temperatures like on Earth where the atmosphere traps heat.


Which of the following Daytime temperatures on Mercury are extremely hot because?

Daytime temperatures on Mercury are extremely hot because the planet has very little atmosphere to retain heat, so there is no insulation to trap the heat from the sun. Additionally, Mercury is the closest planet to the sun, resulting in intense solar radiation that contributes to the high temperatures.


Why did temperatures on the moon vary so much?

Because there is no atmosphere the greenhouse effect does not take place. All of the suns rays are reaching the moon with full power.


Which is hotter mars or mercury?

Mercury is hotter than Mars. Mercury is the closest planet to the sun, so its proximity results in higher temperatures compared to Mars. Additionally, Mercury has an extremely thin atmosphere that cannot retain heat, causing its surface temperatures to vary greatly between day and night.


Can a creature survive on mercury?

No, it is highly unlikely that a creature could survive on Mercury due to its extreme conditions. The planet has very high temperatures during the day and extremely cold temperatures at night, as well as high radiation levels. Additionally, Mercury has very little atmosphere to support life as we know it.