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Correct Answer: mercury
the correct answer is mercury. mercury is recognized as the innermost planet in our solar system, meaning it orbits closest to the sun compared to the other planets. this proximity to the sun makes mercury the most sunward of all planets, completing an orbit around the sun approximately every 88 earth days.
mercury is also the smallest planet in our solar system. despite its diminutive size, its proximity to the sun does not mean it is the hottest; venus holds that title due to its thick atmosphere which traps heat. however, mercury does experience the greatest temperature fluctuations of all the planets due to its thin atmosphere, which is incapable of retaining the extreme heat from the sun.
in terms of composition and structure, mercury is similar to the earth in that it is a terrestrial planet. this means it has a solid, rocky surface characterized by craters, ridges, and plains. its iron-rich core and silicate mantle and crust also resemble those of earth, although mercury has a much larger core relative to its size, which contributes to its high density.
understanding mercury’s position and characteristics helps astronomers learn more about planetary formation and the dynamics of our solar system. its unique orbital and rotational dynamics, such as its 3:2 spin-orbit resonance (it rotates three times on its axis for every two orbits around the sun), provide valuable insights into gravitational and tidal forces within our solar system.
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