Mercury: Why Doesn't it Vaporize Away?

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Mercury does not vaporize despite its proximity to the sun because it is primarily composed of rock and iron, which require higher temperatures to melt or vaporize. The planet's surface temperature, while high, is not sufficient to reach the melting point of its materials. Similar to Earth, Mercury remains solid because it is not close enough to the sun to achieve the extreme heat necessary for vaporization. Thus, its composition and temperature are key factors in preventing it from vaporizing. Mercury's solid state is maintained due to these geological and thermal characteristics.
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Still being so close to the sun, what prevents the planet Mercury from vaporizing away?
 
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jobyts said:
Still being so close to the sun, what prevents the planet Mercury from vaporizing away?
Because it is made of rock and iron, mainly iron, and though close it is still not hot enough to melt, let alone vapourise.

Garth
 
To put it another way, Mercury doesn't vaporize for the same reason the Earth doesn't vaporize - it isn't close enough to the sun to get that hot.
 

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