Which of these is the most basic factor controlling why an outer-solar-system planetary body like Pluto is much colder than an inner-solar-system body like Mercury?   a The most important factor for the surface temperatures of planetary bodies is the speed at which they orbit the Sun.   b Planetary bodies are heated by the radiant energy of the Sun, which gets weaker with distance.   c Distance from the Sun doesn't matter much, since the main thing controlling a body's surface temperature is its internal composition.   d The main thing that controls a planetary body's surface temperature is the rate at which it rotates.

Applications and Investigations in Earth Science (9th Edition)
9th Edition
ISBN:9780134746241
Author:Edward J. Tarbuck, Frederick K. Lutgens, Dennis G. Tasa
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Chapter1: The Study Of Minerals
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Which of these is the most basic factor controlling why an outer-solar-system planetary body like Pluto is much colder than an inner-solar-system body like Mercury?
 
a The most important factor for the surface temperatures of planetary bodies is the speed at which they orbit the Sun.
 
b Planetary bodies are heated by the radiant energy of the Sun, which gets weaker with distance.
 
c Distance from the Sun doesn't matter much, since the main thing controlling a body's surface temperature is its internal composition.
 
d The main thing that controls a planetary body's surface temperature is the rate at which it rotates.
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