Which Planet Has A Much Higher Temperature Than The Planets Closest To The Sun
Which planet has a much higher temperature than the planets closest to the Sun?
Answer: The planet with a much higher temperature than the planets closest to the Sun is Venus.
Why is Venus so hot?
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Atmosphere: Venus has a very thick atmosphere composed mostly of carbon dioxide, with clouds of sulfuric acid. This composition traps heat through a process called the greenhouse effect, making Venus the hottest planet in our solar system.
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Greenhouse Effect: Sunlight reaches the surface of Venus and is trapped by its dense atmosphere, causing the temperature to soar to around 467°C (872°F), hotter even than Mercury’s, despite Mercury being closer to the Sun.
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Surface Pressure: The atmospheric pressure on Venus is about 92 times greater than Earth’s, which contributes to its extreme temperatures by compressing the air and retaining heat more effectively.
Comparison with Mercury:
- Mercury: Closest to the Sun, but it has a very thin atmosphere that cannot trap heat efficiently. Its surface temperature varies widely from extremely hot when facing the Sun to extremely cold on its dark side.
- Venus: Consistently hot due to its thick atmosphere and efficient greenhouse effect.
Summary: Venus is the hottest planet in the solar system due to its thick, heat-trapping atmosphere, making it much hotter than Mercury, which is closer to the Sun. The greenhouse effect plays a crucial role in this difference.