2006-10-11 22:22:56 · 13 answers · asked by Womz M 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
(m)
To a first-order approximation the Earth is round. This
is due to gravity. Gravity pulls with equal strength in all
directions; therefore any variations from a spherical
shape will lead to gravitational forces that
bring the shape back into that of a sphere.
This is without considering the rotation of the earth,
however. The rotation of the earth adds centrifugal
effects, which cause the earth to bulge slightly at
its equator and flatten slightly at its poles.
(This is like twirling a rock on the end of a string
and then letting go--the rock flies away from the
twirler.) Because of these centrifugal effects, the
distance from the center of the earth to the surface
of the earth is about 0.33% shorter at the poles
compared to the equator.
2006-10-11 22:32:35 · answer #1 · answered by mallimalar_2000 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's NOT round. The weight of the Antarctic ice sheet is much greater than the weight of the sea ice floating over the Arctic. So the Southern hemisphere is slightly squashed, the equator bulges, and the North pole is a bit pointy. The Earth is pear-shaped!
2006-10-12 09:15:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The earth is round because that it the most compact shape in 3 dimensions that a mass can inhabit. Gravity pulls all things to the center of mass, and eventually it becomes the most compact it can be.
2006-10-12 05:40:01 · answer #3 · answered by Holden 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's round so that all places in the world has equal land horizontally. Plus, it's round so that we can go to other places. Imagine if the Earth is square or triangle, or cube or pyramid (specifically), there will be a giant mountain-like edge every corner of the Earth...
Anyway, ask God.
2006-10-12 05:29:38 · answer #4 · answered by sirius_black2329 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Because the Earth was formed from a gas cloud, and the simplest way for particles to settle is the fall around a centre point into a sphereical shape. The fact that it was spinning when it cooled allowed for a fairly even shape all around.
2006-10-12 05:26:47 · answer #5 · answered by Stuart T 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Gravity and centrifugal force. Spin anything around fast enough and it starts forming a circle. Not only that, but circles are perfect for distributing energy. It never ends, so the energy always has someplace to go.
Who'd want to live on a square planet?
2006-10-12 05:33:30 · answer #6 · answered by Lizzie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ya a good question as i guess...
it's due earth's self gravity.... this is the smallest there dimensional area so that things would be compressed into a smaller volume..... i mean a sphere....
but the fact of the matter is that earth is not a perfect sphere... it is flattened at poles and bulged at the equator... and again this is due to the gravity.....
hope this helps you....
2006-10-12 06:50:38 · answer #7 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the earth is made up of gas particals, these particals are round in shape when we join more than two or more particals that overall take round shape so in the formation of earth also.
2006-10-12 06:15:18 · answer #8 · answered by sunstarsunil 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
coz of gravity. but let me remind u earth is not a perfect sphere
2006-10-15 06:19:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because gravity is constant.
Who said that thing about not questioning God? LMAO! God indeed....
Rawlyn.
2006-10-12 05:31:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋