Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the diameter of Mercury compared to Earth?
What is the diameter of Mercury compared to Earth?
Why does the surface of Mercury appear wrinkled?
Why does the surface of Mercury appear wrinkled?
What causes the extreme temperatures on Mercury?
What causes the extreme temperatures on Mercury?
How does the weight on Mercury's surface compare to Earth's weight?
How does the weight on Mercury's surface compare to Earth's weight?
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How long does Mercury take to complete its orbit around the sun?
How long does Mercury take to complete its orbit around the sun?
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Study Notes
Mercury's Diameter
- Mercury's diameter is approximately 4,880 kilometers, making it about 38% the size of Earth’s diameter, which is about 12,742 kilometers.
Surface Features of Mercury
- The surface of Mercury appears wrinkled due to the cooling and contraction of the planet's interior. As Mercury cooled, it lost volume, causing the crust to buckle and form ridges.
Extreme Temperatures
- Extreme temperatures on Mercury range from -173°C at night to 427°C during the day. The lack of substantial atmosphere allows for rapid temperature fluctuations, as there is little insulation to retain heat.
Weight Comparison
- Weight on Mercury is roughly 38% of what it is on Earth. For example, a person weighing 100 kg on Earth would weigh about 38 kg on Mercury, due to its lower gravitational pull.
Orbital Period
- Mercury takes about 88 Earth days to complete one orbit around the Sun, making it the smallest and fastest planet in the solar system.
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Description
Learn about the characteristics and features of Mercury, the smallest planet in our solar system. Discover interesting facts about its size, surface, and composition, including the presence of iron and its impact on the planet's appearance.
