because i have to find the diameter of some planets for sci. and i dont know if equatorial radius has anything to do with diameter...
2006-11-20 14:49:50 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The distance to the center of the earth and most planets is greater at the equator than at the poles. This is due to the spinning of the object on its axis.
2006-11-20 15:47:25 · answer #1 · answered by Deleted 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The equatorial radius is the length of a line from the center (of the planet) to any point on it's equator. In the case of the Earth the measurement refers to being done at sea level. All planets have a '"radius of curvature" . This is because they're not perfect spheres, but oblate spheroids. The equatorial radius will also be the longest radius, with the polar radius the shortest and radii increasing in length as you go from the equator to the pole.
2006-11-22 19:32:31 · answer #2 · answered by JIMBO 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Radius is half the diameter. Equatorial radius is half the diameter at the equator. This matters because most planets are not quite exactly spherical and the diameter measured from pole to pole is less than the diameter across the equator.
2006-11-21 00:08:18 · answer #3 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes the equatorial radius is the distance from the center of the earth or planet to its equator
2006-11-20 23:26:01 · answer #4 · answered by Gene H 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋