Learning about Planets – Mercury

Lesson Summary:

The lesson introduces the children to the planet Mercury. The discussion is designed to be used by the teacher as a resource and should also be read by the children, either individually or as a paired reading activity before attempting the quiz. Photographs of Mercury, available on the internet, can be used to enhance the discussion.  The activity gives the children the opportunity to test their knowledge of the planet in an entertaining manner.

Objectives:

  • The children will be able to describe the planet Mercury.

Subject Area:

Science

Lesson Excerpt:

Mercury is the closest planet to the sun.  Because its orbit around the sun is an ellipse (see the diagram), its distance from the sun varies from about 28 million miles  to about  43 million miles.  Now that Pluto is no longer considered a planet, Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system – about 3030 miles in diameter.  In comparison, Earth has a diameter of about 7926 miles.

Mercury is named after the Roman messenger of the gods and the god of travel, commerce and thievery who wore wings on his sandals. It probably got its name because it moves so quickly through the sky.  A Mercurial year is only 88 days – this is the time it takes for Mercury to go around the sun once - but, because it does not rotate as quickly as Earth, a day lasts 59 Earth days.

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