# 9.5 Mercury  (Page 2/26)

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## Densities of worlds

The average density of a body equals its mass divided by its volume. For a sphere, density is:

$\text{density}=\frac{\text{mass}}{\frac{4}{3}\text{π}{R}^{3}}$

Astronomers can measure both mass and radius accurately when a spacecraft flies by a body.

Using the information in this chapter, we can calculate the approximate average density of the Moon.

## Solution

For a sphere,

$\text{density}=\frac{\text{mass}}{\frac{4}{3}\text{π}{R}^{3}}=\frac{7.35\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}×\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}{10}^{22}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\text{kg}}{4.2\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}×\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}5.2\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}×\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}{10}^{18}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}{\text{m}}^{3}}=3.4\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}×\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}{10}^{3}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}{\text{kg/m}}^{3}$

[link] gives a value of 3.3 g/cm 3 , which is 3.3 × 10 3 kg/m 3 .

Using the information in this chapter, calculate the average density of Mercury. Show your work. Does your calculation agree with the figure we give in this chapter?

$\text{density}=\frac{\text{mass}}{\frac{4}{3}\text{π}{R}^{3}}=\frac{3.3\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}×\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}{10}^{23}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\text{kg}}{4.2\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}×\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}1.45\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}×\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}{10}^{19}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}{\text{m}}^{3}}=5.4\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}×\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}{10}^{3}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}{\text{kg/m}}^{3}$

That matches the value given in [link] when g/cm 3 is converted into kg/m 3 .

## Mercury’s strange rotation

Visual studies of Mercury ’s indistinct surface markings were once thought to indicate that the planet kept one face to the Sun (as the Moon does to Earth). Thus, for many years, it was widely believed that Mercury’s rotation period was equal to its revolution period of 88 days, making one side perpetually hot while the other was always cold.

Radar observations of Mercury in the mid-1960s, however, showed conclusively that Mercury does not keep one side fixed toward the Sun. If a planet is turning, one side seems to be approaching Earth while the other is moving away from it. The resulting Doppler shift spreads or broadens the precise transmitted radar-wave frequency into a range of frequencies in the reflected signal ( [link] ). The degree of broadening provides an exact measurement of the rotation rate of the planet.

Mercury’s period of rotation (how long it takes to turn with respect to the distant stars) is 59 days, which is just two-thirds of the planet’s period of revolution. Subsequently, astronomers found that a situation where the spin and the orbit of a planet (its year) are in a 2:3 ratio turns out to be stable. (See [link] for more on the effects of having such a long day on Mercury.)

Mercury, being close to the Sun, is very hot on its daylight side; but because it has no appreciable atmosphere, it gets surprisingly cold during the long nights. The temperature on the surface climbs to 700 K (430 °C) at noontime. After sunset, however, the temperature drops, reaching 100 K (–170 °C) just before dawn. (It is even colder in craters near the poles that receive no sunlight at all.) The range in temperature on Mercury is thus 600 K (or 600 °C), a greater difference than on any other planet.

## What a difference a day makes

Mercury rotates three times for each two orbits around the Sun. It is the only planet that exhibits this relationship between its spin and its orbit, and there are some interesting consequences for any observers who might someday be stationed on the surface of Mercury.

Here on Earth, we take for granted that days are much shorter than years. Therefore, the two astronomical ways of defining the local “day”—how long the planet takes to rotate and how long the Sun takes to return to the same position in the sky—are the same on Earth for most practical purposes. But this is not the case on Mercury. While Mercury rotates (spins once) in 59 Earth days, the time for the Sun to return to the same place in Mercury’s sky turns out to be two Mercury years, or 176 Earth days. (Note that this result is not intuitively obvious, so don’t be upset if you didn’t come up with it.) Thus, if one day at noon a Mercury explorer suggests to her companion that they should meet at noon the next day, this could mean a very long time apart!

To make things even more interesting, recall that Mercury has an eccentric orbit, meaning that its distance from the Sun varies significantly during each mercurian year. By Kepler’s law, the planet moves fastest in its orbit when closest to the Sun. Let’s examine how this affects the way we would see the Sun in the sky during one 176-Earth-day cycle. We’ll look at the situation as if we were standing on the surface of Mercury in the center of a giant basin that astronomers call Caloris ( [link] ).

At the location of Caloris, Mercury is most distant from the Sun at sunrise; this means the rising Sun looks smaller in the sky (although still more than twice the size it appears from Earth). As the Sun rises higher and higher, it looks bigger and bigger; Mercury is now getting closer to the Sun in its eccentric orbit. At the same time, the apparent motion of the Sun slows down as Mercury’s faster motion in orbit begins to catch up with its rotation.

At noon, the Sun is now three times larger than it looks from Earth and hangs almost motionless in the sky. As the afternoon wears on, the Sun appears smaller and smaller, and moves faster and faster in the sky. At sunset, a full Mercury year (or 88 Earth days after sunrise), the Sun is back to its smallest apparent size as it dips out of sight. Then it takes another Mercury year before the Sun rises again. (By the way, sunrises and sunsets are much more sudden on Mercury, since there is no atmosphere to bend or scatter the rays of sunlight.)

Astronomers call locations like the Caloris Basin the “hot longitudes” on Mercury because the Sun is closest to the planet at noon, just when it is lingering overhead for many Earth days. This makes these areas the hottest places on Mercury.

We bring all this up not because the exact details of this scenario are so important but to illustrate how many of the things we take for granted on Earth are not the same on other worlds. As we’ve mentioned before, one of the best things about taking an astronomy class should be ridding you forever of any “Earth chauvinism” you might have. The way things are on our planet is just one of the many ways nature can arrange reality.

Eath is Blue marzble
what is the triad of Venus
Will you able to discuss what is in the astronomy as a whole?
from the beginning of astronomy 'til the present.
Joecy
till the fate of the universe
Kevin
till the universe expanding
Mr
please discuss it to me because it's hard for me to get reliable discussion of it
Joecy
hello joecy well Astronomy is not small to discuss? what do you want To discuss?
Mr
btw we humans first ever recorded counting system and math was based on only 4fingers on the left hand using the left thumb to count the knuckles on 9 digits dating back to Sumerian times
KATASHA
what about a pre-main sequence star. I thought those stars were different from protostar - a type of T Taurie?
Jeffrey
How can we differentiate between space itself expanding and the stuff within space expanding?
Hello JAKE Astronomers predict that Dark energy is the reason of expansion.Think of the universe as a giant balloon. If you mark multiple points on the balloon, then blow it up, you would note that each point is moving away from all of the others. Universe is expanding from everywhere
Mr
Lol is this a trick question? you can see the obviously basic of things when it's the "stuff within space" is expanding the "stuff" expands individually and completely separate to space itself which is the 'container' for lack of a better word for all "space stuff" Easily discernable either way
KATASHA
The fact that space itself has a finite volume and is expanding is counter intuitive and therefore in principle beyond our imagination. that objects within this finite space are expanding, for example whe xou blow up a balloon is immediately intelligible.
Drafi
It can easily be seen and measured.
Drafi
When we speak of the expanding space, we automatically imagine some kind of voluminous object like a balloon. The term "expansion" itself implies that there is some space, into which the expanding object expands.
Drafi
However, this is not so in the case of the expanding universe. It does not "expand" into some existing space, because it IS space itself. Therefore, the term "expansion" used in connection with the universe is misleading.
Drafi
Ultimately, we have to come to terms with the fact that we live in a world, which is not intelligible on the basis of our personal experience and imagination, but can only be described mathematically. The wonderful and mysterious thing is, however, that these counter intuitive mathematical theories
Drafi
have consequences that can readily be seen and felt and understood.
Drafi
A kind of paradoxical situation, isn't it?
Drafi
The answer to your question, Jake, is therefore something like: The expansion of stuff within space can be seen directly, measured and understood. That is, we can access it intuitively. The expansion of space itself can also be measured as well as explained by mathematical-physsical theories.
Drafi
It can even be seen, albeit only by observing the movement of the galaxies, because in an expanding space their mutual distance increases. Only grasp the whole picture with our imagination we cannot.
Drafi
I dont have a lot of knowledge but let me ask a question None of any satellite has left The milky way galaxy so how did they created the model of the galaxy as they can't see it ? we can understand that we can see other galaxies by telescope but how we were able to see the Milky way galaxy ?
Priyanshu
priyanshu Yep you are right but there are many other galaxies outside our Milky way . Astronomers have observed their positions and behaviors and In the Milky way Astronomers had created the Milky way model by tracking the positions of other stars and their distance and behaviors
Mr
and what is the relation between the universe's expansion and dark matter
Gúñjañ
Gja Rm well Astronomers didn't know that What is actualy Dark Matter but Theory says that our universe is made up of 80%of Dark Matter and about a quarter of its total energy density
Mr
why does the universe expands because the law of conservation of energy says that energy can't be created so by expanding the space is expanding as translational energy and from where this new matter of space is coming for expansion of universe.
Priyanshu
ok what I am trying to say is :where the universe expand ?
Gúñjañ
GÃºÃ±jaÃ±. Think of the universe as a giant balloon. If you mark multiple points on the balloon, then blow it up, you would note that each point is moving away from all of the others. Universe is expanding from everywhere
Mr
priyanshu Let me tell you if the critical density would be more than the actual density of the universe the universe will be expanding forever but if the critical density is less than the actual density then the universe will collapse
Mr
Mr astronomer yah but the ballon expand in its air .do you think that the universe has some things whitch it expand?
Gúñjañ
yep Gja Rm Scientist did measured a crital density of the universe if the critical density would be more than the actual density then the universe will be expanding forever but if the critical density would be less than the actual density then the universe will collide better known as big cruch
Mr
Why does a Neutron star know as the strongest magnet in the universe instead of a Black hole?
that would be a magnetar- a type of neutron star just like pulsars but with very high B fields.
Kevin
Kevin What is b field? PLEASE could you explain
Mr
what is the cause of blackhole
a collapsed massive star
donot
A dead star with intense gravity
Saaketh
star collapse remnant greater than 1.4 solar masses
Kevin
The Chandrasekhar Limit = 1.4 Solar Masses.....
when a massive star collides Under it's own weight
Mr
when a massive star is run out of fuel to do its activities and the gravity force blow it up
dinda
Gúñjañ
a wormhole or whitehole is predicted to occur naturally or artificially, when two distant entangled black holes are pulled apart, they will form a shortcut that has two ends. help us to travel through universe and time.
dinda
but its is not yet proven, it is just mathematically possible
dinda
what is the difference between An Astronomer and a Cosmologist?
cosmologist only learn cosmology right. an astronomer is learn all about astronomy, including cosmology
donot
Cosmology Is The Study Of The Universe As A Whole, Origin And Development Of The Universe.....
astronomy include cosmology, astrophysics, astrodynamic and astrometry
donot
what is astronomy
A Branch Of Science That Deals With Celestial Objects And Space.....
Joecy
Yes Outer Space.....
astronomy is the study of the universe beyond the borders of the planet.
rizza
what object can protect my pyramid being affected through doorways and interaction with others?
what is big bang
This is the blast of extremely huge sphere contains some unique particles from which our lovely universe begins
The post-Big Bang universe was composed predominantly of hydrogen, with a little bit of helium thrown in for good measure. Gravity caused the hydrogen to collapse inward, forming structures. However, astronomers are uncertain whether the first massive blobs formed individual stars that later fell to
Mr
The Theory Of The Origin Of Our Universe.....
Mr
Yes Sir?
Mr
I Hope So, Lol.....
Adam ooo well where you from?
Mr
New York City.....
And Yourself?
I am from india.I am 15 years old. you?
Mr
I Am 43 Years Old..... From New York City.....
Can you suggest me some tips to become an Astronomer ? Please
Mr
Start Learning A Lot Of Math Algebra, Calculus Trigonometry, Geometry And Scientific Notation, Get Really Good At It, Once You Can Do All That Math Proficiently, Becoming An Astronmer A Lot Easier..... And When You Win The Nobel In Astronomy, I Can Say I Know You, Lol.....
you inspired me a lot god bless you! 😄 what is your profession?
Mr
I am Vanessa Harp Future universal traveler 🌌🌌🌌
Vanessa
Iam A Doorman By Trade, I Also Have A Degree In Philosophy.....
well that's awesome dude
Mr
vanessa i am a mere amateur astronomer but if you do start traveling the universe can i tag along?
josh
I Also Am An Amateur Astronomer.....
Can we say that there is constant gravitational force in outer space instance of 0 gravity
i think garvity is not constat in every place in space,depends on the cosmic that u r near for...
Israel
I think I am right if we imagine a universe in a completely circular sphere or as an atom of some unknown element ... ....
if you think this then think about them who use material made up of that
Ashish
element
Ashish
This is not so interesting
I also think our universe as complex as our brain and as a computer program
yes bro we have not that powers or that is a different dimension which a human brain does not think yet but may be possible after some time
Ashish
a group of seven stars is called
saptarishi
Suresh
Kayleigh
Both are correct
Pavan
which is the biggest star?
Prabha
I think supper massevic black holes are biggest star
Patel
some stars are small in the size but they powerful then other
Patel
UY Scooty
Pavan
what?
Patel
UY SCUTI biggest star
Siddhansh
Why a neutron star forms ?
Priyanshu
When the star of average size complete their life time.. Then it turns to neutron star,,, our sun is a small star.. So at end he turns into an white dwarf,,, and any other stars which are very big.. The will turn into an black hole..
Pavan
how does a black hole destroys ?
Priyanshu
Well exactly don't know but after engulfs all nearby matter
Pavan
Why our earth or other celestial bodies is approx or completely spherically bounded why this is not square ,rectangle..... .I want to know that universal force which bound them
The most stable 3 dimensional shape which keeps the spinning material of that celestial body together in an equilibrium is a sphere. So the shapes are spheres and not squares or something different.
Ujwala
gravity. this force favors spheres and spheroids because spheres allow gravity to act equally in all directions whereas a rectangle or square wouldn't.
Mark
what do you mean by flint glass?
Suresh
which glass is called flint glass?
Suresh
who said Flint glass?
Mark
Stars, planets and moons can be made of gas, ice or rock. Get enough mass in one area, and it’s going to pull all that stuff into a roughly spherical shape. Less massive objects, such as asteroids, comets, and smaller moons have less gravity, so they may not pull into perfect spheres.
Kevin
the mass needed goes by a funny name: the potato radius
Mark
where you heared
what?
Grisha
i mean when u enter to a black hole it will take u a billions of light-years away...
Israel
yes because time slows down in more gravity
Ashish
and they said they are not always black
Israel
i don't understand this
Ashish
what do wanna say
Ashish
are black holes always black? what if there is a black hole with a blue color...
Israel
I guess black hole is called black hole because it was sucking matters that around them, including dark matter.
donot
what do u mean by "dark matter"
Israel
How man.. We don't even know what's inside the Black hole.. Just know that even light can't overcome against the gravity of BH.. So BH don't reflect any type of light..
Pavan
in universe black is not colour like other colours you can't change colour of universe because it is its nature given colour if light reflects and then come to our eyes then we saw the colour but a black hole absorbs light and never reflects it back
Ashish
are you never heard of it? well, when you look at space it never illuminated by star's lights right. space itself always look black or you can say dark although there more than zillion stars around
donot
ok then what happens to the materials which are trapped in BH when it dies
Israel
that is why scientist named them by dark matter
donot
Just quit knows about the event horizon,,,.. We don't know that what's beyond the Singularity of BH.. If any others BH singularity joins other singularity then possible well.. Don't know
Pavan
oky thanks guys...
Israel
what begin the black hole? or what is the original form of black hole? its a exploded star and black hole is just making a new star by collecting matters around them If they die, well they just became a material
donot
in our universe real and natural colour is black and light is a form of energy which emit photons colour is of that objects which are in 3 dimensions and when light reflects from these objects it comes back to our eyes space is not 3d so it is not our dimension
Ashish
Its just my thought, okay. if you wanted to know more ask some professor or search it or read a book about BH
donot
i cant know more about it becaus i had just passed my 12th class
Ashish
Well even scientists are still researching about universe we cannot sure yet, if we don't prove it
donot
its my own thinking i can't prove this now but may be in future
Ashish
really, you want to prove it too
donot
yes i wamt but at present i am a student and i have no contact to reserchers if you are then plz help me
Ashish
am also a student in 11th grade...do u some advice for me...
Israel
from which country you are
Ashish
How much u got in 12?
Pavan
from Ethiopia
Israel
i got 80 percent
Ashish
Ashish
astronomy is world wide..ok which subjects should i pay more attention?
Israel
physics >maths >chemistry
Ashish
ok then thanks again.. stay safe..
Israel
which acid is also called chamber acid?
Suresh
sulfuric because a lead chamber was used to manufacture and process it.
Mark
thank u very much.
Suresh
i heard that black holes are not always black and they can take u to another coordinate...is this true?
They have no color, and no
Cyclone
black holes have no hair.
hair?... what do you mean by that..
Israel
***en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No-hair_theorem
Black holes size gets increase by Eating massive stars and black hole are made from high massive stars who were exploded in supernova.when a black hole ears a star A quasar is formed thus a black hole is not always black
Mr
Black holes can change its shape by attracting all planets and even light
Saaketh