Homework help: Mercury?

Question

- Atmospheric composition
- What is the physical composition of the planet?
- Are there any physical features on the planet?
- Other special feature of the planet
this is what I need help on please!

Answer 1

mercury wasnt he in a famous band ???

Answer 2

Mercury (IPA: /ˈmɛːkjəri/) is the innermost and smallest planet in the solar system, orbiting the Sun once every 88 days. It ranges in brightness from about −2.0 to 5.5 in apparent magnitude, but is not easily seen — its greatest angular separation from the Sun (greatest elongation) is only 28.3° (it can only be seen in twilight). Comparatively little is known about the planet: the only spacecraft to approach Mercury was Mariner 10 from 1974 to 1975, which mapped only 40%–45% of the planet's surface.




Physically, Mercury is similar in appearance to the Moon as it is heavily cratered. It has no natural satellites and no substantial atmosphere. The planet has a large iron core which generates a magnetic field about 1% as strong as that of the Earth. Surface temperatures on Mercury range from about 90 to 700 K (-180 to 430°C) , with the subsolar point being the hottest and the bottoms of craters near the poles being the coldest.

Mercury's surface is very similar in appearance to that of the Moon, showing extensive mare-like plains and heavy cratering, indicating that it has been geologically inactive for billions of years. The small number of unmanned missions to Mercury means that its geology is the least well understood of the terrestrial planets. Surface features are given the following names:

Albedo features — areas of markedly different reflectivity
Dorsa — ridges (see List of ridges on Mercury)
Montes — mountains (see List of mountains on Mercury)
Planitiae — plains (see List of plains on Mercury)
Rupes — scarps (see List of scarps on Mercury)
Valles — valleys (see List of valleys on Mercury)

Atmosphere

Size comparison of terrestrial planets (left to right): Mercury, Venus, Earth, and MarsMercury is too small for its gravity to retain any significant atmosphere over long periods of time; it has a tenuous atmosphere containing hydrogen, helium, oxygen, sodium, calcium and potassium. The atmosphere is not stable—atoms are continuously lost and replenished, from a variety of sources. Hydrogen and helium atoms probably come from the solar wind, diffusing into Mercury's magnetosphere before later escaping back into space. Radioactive decay of elements within Mercury's crust is another source of helium, as well as sodium and potassium. Water vapor is probably present, being brought to Mercury by comets impacting on its surface.[11]

Answer 3

When mercury becomes a gas it becomes a toxic fume. You can breathe it in and get merucry poisoning. Also remember that mercury is a liquid at room temperature and is a gas not much hotter than that.

Answer 4

Use the Internet. I suggest www.nasa.gov>planets>mercury.It'll give you lots of stuff.

Answer 5

Here are some resources on the net.