2007-01-16 01:57:10 · 5 answers · asked by muskec 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
The Earth's polar radius, or semi-minor axis, is the distance from its center to the North and South Poles, and equals 6,356.750 km (≈3,949.901 mi; ≈3,432.370 nmi).
2007-01-16 02:02:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hey meggush...how can, given what we know about the shape of the Earth, the polar radius be longer than the equatorial radius?
2007-01-16 11:40:31 · answer #2 · answered by gebobs 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The radius can only be given roughly. As the earth is not spherical it doesn't actually have one. Also if you took it at the Himalayas it would no doubt be several miles different from the ocean trenches.
2007-01-16 10:18:47 · answer #3 · answered by Pole Kitten 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends where the measurement is taken...
The polar radius of curvature is 6399.592 km.
The equatorial radius of curvature is 6335.437 km.
Approximately.
Thanks, gebobs!
Correction:
The Earth's equatorial radius equals 6,378.135 km
The Earth's polar radius equals 6,356.750 km
2007-01-16 10:06:39 · answer #4 · answered by meggush 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Earth's equatorial radius, or semi-major axis, is 6,378.135 km (â3,963.189 mi; â3,443.917 nmi).
2007-01-16 10:03:57 · answer #5 · answered by K H 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋