2006-08-26 01:43:58 · 29 answers · asked by 21 Qwestions 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
spinning. think of it as a kinda land erosion, eh?
2006-08-26 01:45:19 · answer #1 · answered by Panzer 1 · 0⤊ 4⤋
The International Astronomical Union has just this week agreed a definition of what a planet is. Part of the definition is that it is a body in orbit around the Sun that has sufficient gravity to overcome rigid body forces, which means in effect that it is more or less round, because a sphere is the shape that minimises the gravitational potential of its mass. By the way, the other part of the definition - that it has cleared the neighbourhood of its orbit - is what led to Pluto being downgraded from planet to dwarf planet. Lots of smaller bodies, such as asteroids, are far from round.
2006-08-26 02:08:44 · answer #2 · answered by Sangmo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question. Planets most often have a rounded shape because of gravity. The larger the planet, the stronger its gravitational field is. The force of gravity pulls inward to the center of the planet and all that material gets pulled into a sphere shape. Planets aren't perfect spheres, but they have a definate round shape to them. Having a round shape is one of the "tests" for a planet (which Pluto couldn't pass).
2006-08-26 01:53:31 · answer #3 · answered by wyldflwr623 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has little to do with the spin. Rather it is because massive objects, like planets have a great deal of gravity. Gravity accelerates or pulls in particles towards the object's center of mass. Of course a round shape ensures that no large peice will be farther from the center than the rest.
2006-08-26 01:53:14 · answer #4 · answered by iMi 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Planets, as suns, are spherical in shape due to the heat energy contained within them. This is a special form of energy. It draws a mass into a sphere by forming gravitons which form on one side of them mass, then pass through the center of the sphere, move through the opposite side of the mass where they were formed, drawing the mass into that of a sphere. Not only do the gravitons draw a mass into the form of a sphere, but they draw the heat energy contained within the mass toward the center of it. Were this not true, our planet would be almost the same temperature throughout. The equation representing this force is, c2 = E/m. Notice as either the mass or energy (heat) change so, also, does the gravitational field.
2006-08-26 03:35:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
not always,some planets,like saturn r like a sqashed football,but still all the planets have more or less a round shape because of the gravity exerted by them.
2006-08-26 01:48:36 · answer #6 · answered by ♀guardian of angels♀ 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Gravity, it pushes in all directions making all spinning things round including planets, moons and stars.
2006-08-26 01:45:55 · answer #7 · answered by Carlitos 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
But thats only the planets that have been found there might be some that hasnt been found yet so how do know they are all round?
2006-08-26 01:55:23 · answer #8 · answered by lozzi_pop22 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Gravity.
2006-08-29 23:03:24 · answer #9 · answered by soxrcat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gravity.
2006-08-26 01:49:38 · answer #10 · answered by Answer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a matter of definition. By definition, a celestial body must, among other things, have enough mass to attract its components and objects around into the spherical shape in order to be called a planet.
2006-08-26 01:46:29 · answer #11 · answered by regis_cabral 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋