Which planet is closest to the Sun?

Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun in our solar system. This position is due to its orbit, which is the shortest among all the planets, bringing it closer to the Sun than Venus, Earth, or Mars. Being the closest, Mercury experiences extreme temperatures, fluctuating between very hot during the day and frigid at night, as it has a thin atmosphere that cannot hold heat. Understanding Mercury's proximity to the Sun is fundamental in learning about the structure and dynamics of our solar system, as it highlights the gravitational influences of the Sun on planetary orbits.