why is the earth round?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

Y: Why is the earth round? I never thought to ask that.

D: Of course not!

Y: It just seems to be one of those things. The sun is round. The moon is round. The earth is round. What else would it be?

D: Why not a cube?

Y: A cube? No, that's silly.

D: Is it? Why?

Y: Because . . . because . . . (frustrated) . . . because really big things like to be round for some reason!

D: Exactly right. And that reason is gravity.

Y: Gravity?

D: Think of it this way. Suppose the earth were a cube. Then some points on its surface would be farther away from the center than others. The corners, for example, would be much farther out than the rest.

Y: I think I see where you're going. Since gravity works equally on everything, there would be a tendency to pull those uneven places down. The surface would even itself out.

D: Right. And the only geometrical object in which every point on the surface is the same distance from the center is. . .?

Y: A sphere! . . . But wait a minute. I've seen pictures of asteroids that have all sorts of crazy shapes. Why aren't they round?

D: Only because they aren't big enough for gravity to be a determining factor. If that asteroid were to suddenly become as big as a moon, it would indeed rearrange itself gradually into a sphere.

Y: Well, I never . . . !

Answer 3

The Earth is not perfectly round. It is further around the equator than it is around the poles. The earth spins at around 1000 miles per hour creating centrifugal force expanding at the equator shrinking at the poles. The metric system of measurement is base on the difference of the two circular measurements therefore cannot be perfect. The decimal system is based on the pyramid inch which is perfect. A metric inch can be drawn out infinitely to the right past the decimal point though it usually only goes 3 or 4 significant numbers. The pyramid inch is exactly one inch.

Answer 4

it's a universal law that all heavenly bodies are designed and shaped round or spherical.

Science says that at first before a planet or star formed, it's in the form of dust clouds and gasses. How it's form and why it's form remains a mystery. But science say it's formed in a circular motion, so it's just natural to have a round shape compare to other shape.

But then again the best answer, if you're Biblically inclined, is, It is how our Great Creator designed it. He's all knowing so he designed our planet earth and other heavenly bodies the best way it should.

Answer 5

it's not perfectly round. Tts rotation on its axis causes it to be slightly bulged at the equator and flattened at the poles. The answer you're looking or however, is graviity. The center of the Earth is its center of gravity, and it pulls inward equally in all directions.

Answer 6

It's mass and gravity are great enough to pull it's shape into that of a ball. The larger a heavenly body, the rounder it will appear. But asteroids don't have enough gravity to force the round shape, so they appear irregular in shape.

Answer 7

The earth started out as a square but with it rotating all the time it wore off the sharp edges leaving it somewhat round. And the pope is really Jewish. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 8

because it's not square jk

the earth is round because a sphere is the most compact solid that can be created when gravitational forces are pulling from all directions simultaneously.

Answer 9

Early earth prototypes were flat but the designers and engineers scrapped that idea.
Ships kept sailing off the edge. They would plummet into oblivion where terrible sea monsters waited.

.

Answer 10

Because it is triangular!!! Just Jokin' It's round because if it wasn't we'd fall off the edges!!!! Because of like the gravity and axis something like that !!!