Question

which of the following best explains why mercury experiences temperature swings of over 600°f between day and night? a it rotates rapidly and has an iron core that stores heat. b it lacks an atmosphere to trap heat, and its slow rotation allows extreme heating and cooling. c it has a thick atmosphere that traps solar heat during the day and releases it at night. d its orbit is extremely elliptical, causing rapid seasonal changes.

Explanation:

Mercury has a very thin atmosphere which can't trap heat effectively. Also, its slow rotation means one - side is exposed to the Sun for a long time getting extremely hot, and when it rotates away, it cools down rapidly due to lack of insulating atmosphere.

Answer:

B. It lacks an atmosphere to trap heat, and its slow rotation allows extreme heating and cooling.