Mercury

Mercury is a fascinating planet in our solar system. It is the closest planet to the sun and has a number of unique characteristics that make it an interesting object of study.

Basic Information

Distance from the Sun: Approximately 36 million miles
Size: Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system
Surface: It has a heavily cratered surface, similar to the Earth's moon
Atmosphere: Mercury has a very thin atmosphere consisting of trace amounts of hydrogen, helium, and oxygen
Temperature: Surface temperatures on Mercury can range from extremely hot during the day to very cold at night

Study Guide

Here are some key points to remember when studying Mercury:

What is the distance of Mercury from the sun?
Describe Mercury's size compared to other planets.
What is the surface of Mercury like?
What is the composition of Mercury's atmosphere?
How do surface temperatures vary on Mercury?

Answers

The distance from the Sun to Mercury is approximately 36 million miles.
Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system.
Mercury has a heavily cratered surface, similar to the Earth's moon.
Mercury has a very thin atmosphere consisting of trace amounts of hydrogen, helium, and oxygen.
Surface temperatures on Mercury can range from extremely hot during the day to very cold at night.

◂Science Worksheets and Study Guides Second Grade. The sun and earth

Vocabulary/Answer key

The sun and earth

The resources above cover the following skills:

Concepts of Earth Science: A student should understand and be able to apply the concepts, processes, theories, models, evidence, and systems of earth and space sciences. A student who meets the content standard should:

Develop an understanding of the cyclical changes controlled by energy from the sun and by Earth's position and motion in our solar system.