Which planet is the second from the Sun and is famous for its thick atmosphere and high surface temperatures?

• A. Venus
• B. Earth
• C. Mars
• D. Planets farthest from the Sun

Answer: (A)

Venus stands as the second planet from the Sun, and it’s renowned for its incredibly thick atmosphere composed mainly of carbon dioxide, with dense clouds of sulfuric acid. That heavy blanket traps heat so effectively that a runaway greenhouse effect develops, driving surface temperatures to extreme levels—hotter than Mercury’s despite Venus being farther from the Sun. This combination of its orbital position and its searing, dense atmosphere is what makes Venus the best answer. Earth isn’t the second planet, and Mars has a thin atmosphere and cooler surface. The option describing planets farthest from the Sun isn’t a specific planet and doesn’t describe Venus.