Final answer:
Venus is extremely hot primarily due to a potent greenhouse effect, resulting from its atmosphere's high carbon dioxide content, which traps heat and raises the surface temperature significantly more than on Earth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Reasons Why Venus is Extremely Hot
Venus is known for its extreme temperatures which far exceed what would be expected just from its proximity to the Sun.The primary reason for this intense heat is the greenhouse effect, which is significantly more potent on Venus than on Earth. Greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO₂), trap infrared radiation from the sun and prevent it from escaping into space, causing the planet's temperature to rise substantially.
Venus's atmosphere contains nearly a million times more CO₂ than Earth's, creating a supercharged greenhouse effect. The thick layer of CO₂ acts like a thermal blanket, resulting in temperatures that soar above 700 K (approximately 427°C or 800°F).
Additionally, the runaway greenhouse condition on Venus implies a boost in temperature by hundreds of degrees compared to the greenhouse effect on Earth, which only causes a temperature increase of about 33 K. Consequently, the greenhouse gases on Venus must reach a high enough concentration to allow the planet to achieve an energy balance, radiating as much energy as it absorbs from the Sun, only at these extreme temperatures.