2006-06-17 21:12:34 · 10 answers · asked by emie r 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
I guess that's why sailors like Christopher Columbus and even those before him believed the earth was not a flat surface, but round because if it were flat you should be able to see land on the horizon when you're in the ocean looking at the other side of the ocean, but you don't.
2006-06-18 15:34:18 · answer #1 · answered by Professor Armitage 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perspective. You can only see at a very close angle to the surface and you can not see where it truly ends. Since you aren't perpendicular or over 90 degrees to the edge of the curve, you can't tell where the light begins to reflect on the Earth's surface with much as much sense as a person overlooking from outerspace would.
2006-06-18 04:21:41 · answer #2 · answered by Jodhpur 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are not aware of earth's surface curvature only when you are on land where there are many obstructions to view. However, while sailing on the sea, one can easily see earth's curvature as other ships sailing ahead can be seen going down the earth's curve.
2006-06-18 05:50:35 · answer #3 · answered by jolivmarmol 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is because we are very small when compared to the enormous earth.So we cant tell the curved surface of the earth when we live or walk in it.The earth is too vast.
2006-06-18 04:19:17 · answer #4 · answered by marydent 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course you do!!!
Before any formal proof of the earth being spherical in shape, Many deduced this do to horizons, and in fact calculations came very close to the actual circumpherence of the earth.
2006-06-18 04:17:12 · answer #5 · answered by Prez 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because the earth is so huge, in terms of area, u r not able to see the complete picture. it can be likened to an ant sitting on top of a foot ball.
2006-06-18 04:19:11 · answer #6 · answered by ramesh 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are like a micro-organism sitting on its surface.Still the effect is a bit visible by the phenomenom of horizon.
2006-06-18 14:23:28 · answer #7 · answered by babloo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
for the same reason we can't feel the earth rotating on its axis... it's all tied into our evolutionary perceptions... that may not make sense to anyone else, i think i invented the phrase...lol, basically, its because we are not programmed to... so the sayings go anyway.
2006-06-18 04:17:16 · answer #8 · answered by Max 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you've ever been on the ocean, you can see the curve. as things get closer, you see the tops first, then the rest.
2006-06-18 04:15:46 · answer #9 · answered by Mac Momma 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its the same saying as you can not see the wood for the trees you need perceptive like distance
2006-06-24 05:42:42 · answer #10 · answered by cgdchris 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋