I remember reading the back of a book a few years ago in a bookstore. The author (I can't remember who or the book's title) proposed the theory that life can exist on a flat planet if it has walls (like the sides on a box) and it's open side faces its sun. This position is supposed to hold in oxygen and everything else necessary to life. The author further suggests that this planet can be many times larger than Earth.
I've always thought the author was just kidding.
2006-08-10 14:23:53 · 9 answers · asked by rebekkah hot as the sun 7 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
No. Its even impossible for a flat planet to exist
All plantes are in Spheres. Becuase the all the gravity caused by the planet's own materials concentrate in a center and all the material is attracted to it. So it all piles in the center.
Because everything is gravitated to each other ,it turns into a sphere(its hard to explain in words,imagine it!). A flat planet has material all spaced out. A spherical planet has all the material as close together as possible,because the gravity pulls it all together!!
Simple explanation: a piece of paper crumbled up.
Summary:
So no, a flat inhatible planet is not possible because a flat planet can't exist.
2006-08-10 14:36:36 · answer #1 · answered by thats it 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let's see, by very definition, the planet would have to orbit around the sun, which means that it has to move through space. And that with enough time makes the object become circular especially if it's an object larger than earth, I would think.
But, let's say that the planet hadn't had enough time to become circular, then the youth suggests that there will be high level of volcanic activity as the hot matters from formation hadn't had the time to cool close to the surface.
This is just a guess on my part, of course, because I have never seen nor heard of such thing, but I would agree with you that he was just conjuring up an imaginary item. Still, where space and matter is concerned, we know too little yet to rule it out. When you do remember the author, let me know.
Too bad, Stephen Hawking is not reading your message. He'd be able to give you the best answer.
2006-08-10 14:47:52 · answer #2 · answered by Nikki W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they were kidding. It could exist if it were insanely small... certainly not planet sized, and of a firm material (flat objects can exist in space!) But when it is planet sized, the mass is greater, therefore gravity is stronger and all of the pieces are pulled towards that point, at the center of mass, making a nice smoothish sphere.
As for all of the other things... if we were always facing the sun we would burn up, and we would loose our atmosphere anyway... with no strong center of gravity there would be nothing holding the atmosphere to the planet.
It seems that since every piece of that was so nonsensicle, he was being facetious.
2006-08-10 15:10:42 · answer #3 · answered by iMi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in case you propose flat like a disc or pancake, then no. The rules of physics do not enable planets to be flat. Gravity exerts stress from each and every factor of an merchandise the two inflicting a rotating physique, at a undeniable minimum of mass, to advance a around shape. Many planets look oblate spheroids. by using fact of this they have extremely flattened poles and a bulge around their equatorial diameter, yet they're nonetheless around or spheroids. back, by using around or all encompassing stress of gravity products style concavely around and different around shapes. The rotation of products in area, even the quickest rotating our bodies prevalent, consisting of neutron stars, are nonetheless around. some neutron stars spin countless hundred instances according to 2nd, yet by using fact of their mass gravity maintains their around shape.
2016-10-01 22:24:31 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
On an infinite flat plane, the force of the gravity depends on the thickness of the plane. Maybe that's what the author was talking about.
But that doesn't exist in our universe.
2006-08-10 15:32:46 · answer #5 · answered by minuteblue 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Planets cannot be flat because of gravity. The gravity of the planet forces it to be spherical in shape.
2006-08-10 14:31:47 · answer #6 · answered by cougarfan_jared 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, a flat planet is not possible. Where would the center of gravity be?
2006-08-10 14:31:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
first there would have to be a flat planet?
2006-08-10 14:29:05 · answer #8 · answered by iluvtobygirl 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Huh??? Come in Tokyo...Come in Tokyo.
2006-08-10 14:30:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋