I just want to ask a quick question. "Why is a globe the only accurate way to represent the earth?" PLEASE HELP
2006-09-12 10:29:22 · 7 answers · asked by Mike 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Geography
Because it is three dimensional. A map depicts the Earth as if it were flat and the so the arrangement, size/shape of the oceans, etc. on a flat plane are somewhat inaccurate.
2006-09-12 10:31:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The ideas presented are correct...essentially. The accuracy of maps is related to the amount of area mapped with respect to the total area available for mapping. The smaller the section of Earth mapped, the less "distortion" of the map is noticed. If the distortion is small enough, it can be neglected. The use of the map determines whether or not the distortion is small enough. For a person traveling across town, the map does not need to be as accurate as for an engineer planning drainage for an area. So, the globe is not the only accurate way to represent the Earth. It is a matter of scale. If you choose to represent the whole Earth, then a globe is the best choice. You can also make many small maps and overlap them to form a large one. Then you will see "fuzzy" areas where the distortion is obvious. You will get the best view from what is perceived the front of the globe. To get a good view of another area, rotate the globe and re-map. It is just simpler to use a globe unless it is mapped on a computer.
2006-09-12 11:04:58 · answer #2 · answered by Jack 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because a globe is a sphere and the Earth is a sphere (to the first approximation). By placing the Earth on flat maps the factor of pi (3.14159...) comes into play. The choice has to be made: Equal angles or Equal areas.
2006-09-12 10:32:42 · answer #3 · answered by Amphibolite 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any representation of a spherical surface on a flat plane will cause some distortion. On most maps this occurs near the poles. To see this effect compare the sizes of Greenland and Africa on a Mercator Projection map and a globe.
2006-09-12 10:35:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it is round like the earth and not flat and distorted like a map. A globe is a scale model of the earth perfect.
2006-09-12 10:33:56 · answer #5 · answered by Scott S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try this, and you'll understand. Cut open a round ball, and try to spread it flat. Not easy to do, right? That's why you can't make an accurate representation of the earth on a map. The only one that comes close is the one that is cut up and down in several spots, which makes it difficult to judge distances.
2006-09-12 10:36:30 · answer #6 · answered by Michael E 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe because the earth is , (near enough ), spherical.
2006-09-12 10:31:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋