2007-01-21 19:41:40 · 9 answers · asked by vith t 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Geography
The earth's orbit is elliptical, not it's shape. It's shape is what is called an oblate spheroid, which is different from a sphere in that it bulges out slightly around the equator. This is because of the centrifical force caused by the earth's spinning, which pulls the matter out slightly, thus causing the bulge.
2007-01-21 19:48:38 · answer #1 · answered by greendragonmaw 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because of the effects of gravity, and rotation.
Gravity pulls each point towards the center of gravity equally, thus the earth is very much like a sphere.
But since the equator is rotating at 1,000 miles per hour, it bulges out, due to centrifugal force effects. Thus the shape is an ovoid, or oblate sphere, a rotating oval, slightly wider at the equator, than the poles, from north to south.
2007-01-22 03:48:42 · answer #2 · answered by A Military Veteran 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Due to the rotation of the earth. Considering the centrifugal force - moving from earths centre to the perimeter (earth surface), the whole land mass is drawn outwards to the maximum extremity, perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Due to this phenomenon the land mass at the poles, the North Pole and South Pole, is drawn in. Therefore the elliptical spheroid shape.
2007-01-22 05:14:01 · answer #3 · answered by Kool-kat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All because of the centrifugal force acting more near the equator due to its spinning.
the other reason is because of the north-south pole activity. the magnetic force of attraction is more in that axis which makes the earth oval or elliptical.
All these are not scientifically proved. But these are the acceptable theories.
2007-01-23 23:27:54 · answer #4 · answered by Karthikeyan P 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A sphere is the most efficient volume/shape a massive enough object [like a planet] will take in its own gravity well as matter of an accretion disk coalesces. And, actually the earth does bulge a little bit at the equator and flatten at the Poles to its rotation. So, it is not a perfect sphere.
2007-01-22 03:51:18 · answer #5 · answered by quntmphys238 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because.... I guess it has something to do with the way it rotates, and also, elliptical and oval are the same type of shape.
2007-01-22 03:45:24 · answer #6 · answered by am_anda15 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The earth is a ball of hot metal with a crust of rock, so like a balloon it forms the shape that minimises the forces on that skin.
2007-01-22 03:52:17 · answer #7 · answered by fleacircusdirector 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
actually the shape of the earth is called geoid - and has this form because of it;s rotation. the name of geoid was given by gauss to name the shape of the earth knowing that the its same doesn't mach any known shape. so geo - earth becomes geoid. it's a combination between eggshape and sphere.
2007-01-25 00:49:47 · answer #8 · answered by paul j 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
really.......... every thing is eliptical.......... because if u place a liqid in space definatly it will be sperical.......... due to gravitational force in diff direction it forms elliptical
2007-01-22 03:47:47 · answer #9 · answered by chandra sekaran.p 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋