Question

venus 735 k
earth 287 k
mars 227 k
jupiter 112-165 k
saturn 84-134 k
uranus 53-76 k
neptune 55-72 k
what conclusion can be drawn from this information?
a. earth has the highest average surface temperature, and uranus has the lowest average surface temperature
b. earth and the other inner planets have lower average surface temperatures than the outer planets
c. earth has the lowest average surface temperature, and venus has the highest average surface temperature
d. earth and the other inner planets have higher average surface temperatures than the outer planets

Explanation:

1. First, identify inner planets (Venus, Earth, Mars) and their temperatures: 735 K, 287 K, 227 K.
2. Identify outer planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune) and their temperature ranges: all outer planets have maximum temperatures below 165 K, which is lower than the lowest inner planet temperature (227 K).
3. Evaluate each option:

• A: Incorrect, Venus has the highest temp, not Earth.
• B: Incorrect, inner planets have higher temps than outer.
• C: Incorrect, Mars has a lower temp than Earth.
• D: Correct, all inner planet temps are higher than the maximum temps of outer planets.

Answer:

D. Earth and the other inner planets have higher average surface temperatures than the outer planets.