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Why does Mercury have far more craters than Earth or Venus?

(a) Mercury is located closer to the Sun and so is more likely to collide with asteroids.
(b) Mercury has a smaller core and therefore has a less resilient surface.
(c) Mercury is not geologically active and has no atmosphere to erode craters.
(d) Mercury formed well before Earth or Venus, and so has had a longer time to build up craters on its surface.
(e) Mercury does not have a magnetic field to shield it from asteroids.

User Amarilis
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Final answer:

Mercury has more craters than Earth or Venus because it is closer to the Sun, has a smaller core and less resilient surface, lacks geological activity and an atmosphere, and formed earlier.

Step-by-step explanation:

Mercury has far more craters than Earth or Venus due to several reasons. First, Mercury is located closer to the Sun, making it more likely to collide with asteroids. Second, Mercury has a smaller core and a less resilient surface, which means that impacts are more likely to create craters.

Third, Mercury is not geologically active and lacks an atmosphere, so craters are not eroded over time. Finally, Mercury formed earlier than Earth or Venus, giving it a longer period of time to accumulate craters on its surface.

User Andrea Grandi
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