Why not "lumpy" shapes? Is it due to gravity (or lack there of) or orbital spinning?
Thanks everyone for your input
2006-10-22 16:45:40 · 13 answers · asked by LadyRebecca 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Thanks guys for your input so far. How does a planet gain sufficient gravity to pull it into a spheriod shape. Does it go by the size of the planet or the velocity of its orbit?
2006-10-22 17:30:12 · update #1
Gravity pull everything cloest to the center and a sphere is only shape where the entire surface is the same distance to the center.
You should also know that planets are not perfect sphere. Rotation causes them to bulge at the equator.
2006-10-22 16:50:51 · answer #1 · answered by Walking Man 6 · 41⤊ 7⤋
Gravity. The core tries to pull the surface as close as possible. The closest an equally dense surface can become is round.
There is a bulge on all planets (that we know of) around the equator. That bulge is due to the spinning of the planets on their axis.
2006-10-22 23:56:40 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 0⤋
One of our current definitions of a planet is that it must have sufficient gravity to pull it into a spheriod shape. For example pluto has insufficient mass, is not 'round' and is therefore not a planet.
No planet is a perfect sphere due to geographic terrain, spin bulging them at the centre, and also pull from other bodies (sun, nearby massive planets etc)
2006-10-23 00:19:56 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 5⤊ 1⤋
It is because of the electromagnet existing in all planets which causes gravity...
The Another reason why are planets round is that sphere is the spatial figure with the lowest surface area to a given volume... Low surface area is important to all bodies affected by gravity to regulate its distribution in every part of the body.
2006-10-23 05:00:41 · answer #4 · answered by King 1 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Gravity pull. But they are not round, they are like an orange. Planets like Saturn which are very light exaggerates this form.
2006-10-22 23:57:01 · answer #5 · answered by Lost. at. Sea. 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
This can be seen as an example of "Zero point energy". If you poured out a glass of water, in space, it also would form a sphere. Actually, most planets are rather "lumpy", but are all "attempting" to become a sphere.
2006-10-23 00:33:25 · answer #6 · answered by Dusty 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
It is gravity.
A sphere is the perfect shape - it is the state where any volume occupies the smallest space (A cube had corners).
Each body in space is trying to assume a spherical shape. Only bodies large enough, with enough gravity, will actually achieve it.
2006-10-22 23:51:41 · answer #7 · answered by nick s 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
A combination of gravity and centrifugal force from spinning.
2006-10-23 05:04:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
gravity pulls equally in every direction.
2006-10-23 02:33:56 · answer #9 · answered by JESUS R 1 · 3⤊ 1⤋
it is due to union of gravity and spinning
2006-10-23 06:05:50 · answer #10 · answered by Vipul C 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
because of its gravity and the pressure exerted on it
2006-10-23 02:44:36 · answer #11 · answered by genius sonia 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋