I have to write a paper explaining why I belive the earth is round. I cant put things like I've seem pictures in a book.
2006-12-02 12:00:32 · 12 answers · asked by abdblu 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Because the shadow of the earth on the moon is curved,
because the sail of a ship disappears from bottom to top on the horizon instead of all fading away equally,
because all the water in oceans would spill off the edge if it was flat,
because if you keep travelling in a straight line you will end up where you started,
because Stone Cold said so. (maybe forget that one)
2006-12-02 12:30:46 · answer #1 · answered by Peter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't remember who first proved the Earth was round (an ancient Greek), but his method was to put a tall, wooden stake in the ground in one spt, another tall stake in the ground in another spot (like a different city), then measure the length of the shadow at the same time of day. The shadows were slightly different lengths, proving that the Earth had curvature.
This can be clearly shown today by the fact that if it's daytime on one side of the Earth, the other side will be in darkness. This wouldn't happen if the Earth was flat.
2006-12-02 20:32:10 · answer #2 · answered by Jason 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The constellations shift relative to the horizon as you move north and south around the globe, something that could only happen if you were standing on a sphere. (You may have to draw a few diagrams to convince yourself of this.) Given sufficient world travel combined with careful observation on your part... comes from
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_087.html
A round earth is the most stable shape according
to gravitational theory; a flat earth would tend to collapse toward the center, and people standing near the edges would feel a gravitational pull
toward the center of the flat surface instead of perpendicular to the surface. This comes from
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/gen99/gen99427.htm
From http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/gen99/gen99427.htm we have:
In reality, the ancient Greeks and others knew the earth was round based on more general knowledge: that the earth's shadow on the moon during a lunar eclipse is round; that ships disappear over the horizon; and so on. But none of these involve a formula. Finding Eratosthenes' method is undoubtedly the intention of your assignment.
You can find the details in our archives or elsewhere. Since the explanation in our archives doesn't give a picture or the formula, here's a drawing of his setup. The sun is directly overhead in one place and at an angle in another place.
The Bible would be another good reference. Read Isaiah 40:22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
I hope that this is enough for you. Have a great holiday!
Eds
2006-12-02 21:05:24 · answer #3 · answered by Eds 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The earth curving away from in an airplane can help you prove it. At 35,000 feet you can easily see the earth curving away and around you. You can also describe the horizon and it's curvature. In addition, you could use how the moon and stars move through the sky at night. This can help you visualize how the earth rotates and is globular. This would require that modern cosmology is available and earth is not the center of the universe.
2006-12-02 20:45:03 · answer #4 · answered by amland1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fact that you could put something into orbit proves the earth is round, in reality, while you are orbiting a planet, you are in fact constantly falling towards the ground, but since you are moving quickly enough, the curvature of the earth causes the ground to recede from you.
2006-12-02 21:03:27 · answer #5 · answered by IHTFP 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Climb a hill. You can see further.
If the Earth were flat this would not be the case - the horizon would be at a fixed distance regardless of how high you were.
Ships vanishing over the horizon does not prove the Earth is round, this does.
2006-12-03 05:56:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Run in a straight line. If one day you reach back to the same place, you've proved the earth is round. If you fall off the edge into space, it's not.
2006-12-02 20:12:09 · answer #7 · answered by bObBy V 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe tell about how if you were to walk or sail around the whole earth...you wouldn't fall off the edge. Because it doesn't have an edge! It's round!
2006-12-02 20:10:44 · answer #8 · answered by Wishful Thinking 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you were in Canada at noon, you measured the length of the shadow of a 4' stick in the ground. Then you went to New York the next day and did the same thing at noon and compared the length of the shadow at noon.
2006-12-02 20:29:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look at everything else in the sky.
2006-12-02 22:35:39 · answer #10 · answered by spir_i_tual 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋