Why are some planets hotter than others?

Some planets are hotter than others because they get more sunlight and have different ways of keeping that heat.

Imagine you're playing outside on a sunny day, you feel warm because the sun is shining on you. Now imagine your friend is playing in the shade, they don’t feel as warm. That’s like how planets work!

Planets that are closer to the sun get more heat, just like you getting more sunlight if you move closer to the middle of the playground. For example, Venus is very hot because it's close to the sun and has a thick blanket of clouds that trap heat, like wearing a heavy coat on a warm day.

Some planets have thick atmospheres, which act like a cozy blanket around them. They hold onto the heat from the sun, making them feel warmer even when they're not super close to the sun. On the other hand, Mars is farther away and has a thin atmosphere, it's like wearing a light sweater on a cool day.

So, some planets are hotter because of where they live and what kind of blanket they wear!