Among the planets, which has the highest surface temperature?

Among the planets, which has the highest surface temperature?

• A. Mercury
• B. Venus
• C. Earth
• D. Mars

Answer: (B)

The planet with the highest surface temperature is the one with a thick, heat-trapping atmosphere. Venus has a dense CO2 atmosphere and high surface pressure, which creates an intense greenhouse effect that traps solar heat and elevates the surface temperature to about 465°C. Even though Mercury is closer to the Sun, its almost non-existent atmosphere means it can't retain heat, so its dayside gets very hot but not as hot overall as Venus, and its nightside is extremely cold. Earth’s climate is moderated by oceans and a balanced greenhouse effect, while Mars has a thin atmosphere and is farther from the Sun, making it much cooler. So, Venus ends up hottest because its atmosphere traps heat far more effectively than any of the other planets.

The planet with the highest surface temperature is the one with a thick, heat-trapping atmosphere. Venus has a dense CO2 atmosphere and high surface pressure, which creates an intense greenhouse effect that traps solar heat and elevates the surface temperature to about 465°C. Even though Mercury is closer to the Sun, its almost non-existent atmosphere means it can't retain heat, so its dayside gets very hot but not as hot overall as Venus, and its nightside is extremely cold. Earth’s climate is moderated by oceans and a balanced greenhouse effect, while Mars has a thin atmosphere and is farther from the Sun, making it much cooler. So, Venus ends up hottest because its atmosphere traps heat far more effectively than any of the other planets.