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Question

Which is the hottest planet in our solar system with a surface temperature of over 450 degrees Celsius?

This question was previously asked in
SSC Selection Post 2020 Graduation Level Question Paper (14 Dec, 2020) (Shift 3)
The correct answer is

Venus

Understanding the Hottest Planet in our Solar System

The question asks us to identify the hottest planet in our solar system, specifically mentioning a surface temperature exceeding 450 degrees Celsius. To answer this, we need to recall information about the surface temperatures of the planets.

Analyzing the Planets and their Temperatures

Let's consider the options provided and their typical surface temperatures:

  • Saturn: Saturn is a gas giant located far from the Sun. Its average temperature is extremely cold, around -139 degrees Celsius.
  • Venus: Venus is the second planet from the Sun. It has a very thick atmosphere composed mainly of carbon dioxide. This atmosphere traps heat through a strong greenhouse effect, leading to extremely high surface temperatures.
  • Uranus: Uranus is another ice giant far from the Sun. Its average temperature is around -195 degrees Celsius.
  • Neptune: Neptune is the farthest known planet from the Sun. It is also very cold, with an average temperature of about -201 degrees Celsius.

Comparing these temperatures, it is clear that Venus stands out with its extremely high surface temperature.

Why Venus is the Hottest Planet

While Mercury is closer to the Sun, Venus is hotter. This is due to Venus's dense atmosphere, which creates a runaway greenhouse effect. Sunlight passes through the atmosphere and heats the surface, but the thick carbon dioxide traps the heat, preventing it from escaping into space. This process elevates Venus's surface temperature far beyond what would be expected based on its distance from the Sun alone. The surface temperature on Venus is consistently above 450 degrees Celsius, often reaching around $\text{464}^{\circ}\text{C}$.

Let's summarize the approximate average surface temperatures:

Planet Approximate Average Surface Temperature
Saturn $\text{-139}^{\circ}\text{C}$
Venus $\text{464}^{\circ}\text{C}$ (Day/Night Average)
Uranus $\text{-195}^{\circ}\text{C}$
Neptune $\text{-201}^{\circ}\text{C}$

Based on this information, Venus is indeed the hottest planet in our solar system, with a surface temperature well over 450 degrees Celsius.

Conclusion

The planet in our solar system with a surface temperature of over 450 degrees Celsius is Venus. Its thick atmosphere causes a powerful greenhouse effect, trapping heat and making it hotter than any other planet, including Mercury, which is closer to the Sun.

Revision Table: Hottest Planet Facts

Feature Description for Venus
Position from Sun Second planet
Surface Temperature Over $\text{450}^{\circ}\text{C}$ (approx. $\text{464}^{\circ}\text{C}$)
Reason for High Temperature Strong greenhouse effect due to thick $\text{CO}_2$ atmosphere
Atmosphere Composition Primarily Carbon Dioxide ($\text{CO}_2$) with sulfuric acid clouds

Additional Information on Inner Planets and Temperature

The inner planets of the solar system are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. Their temperatures are largely influenced by their distance from the Sun and the presence and composition of their atmospheres.

  • Mercury: Closest to the Sun, experiences extreme temperature variations between day (up to $\text{430}^{\circ}\text{C}$) and night (down to $\text{-180}^{\circ}\text{C}$) due to its lack of a significant atmosphere.
  • Earth: Has a moderate greenhouse effect that supports liquid water and life, with an average surface temperature around $\text{15}^{\circ}\text{C}$.
  • Mars: Has a thin atmosphere, resulting in cold average temperatures around $\text{-63}^{\circ}\text{C}$, although temperatures can reach above freezing in some places during summer.

This comparison highlights the unique case of Venus, where the atmospheric composition is the primary driver of its exceptionally high surface temperature, making it the hottest planet despite not being the closest to the Sun.

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