2007-01-27 00:31:43 · 7 answers · asked by Miha Ella 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Gravity pulls down anything that is too far from the center. Eventually, the planet assumes the shape that brings everything as close as possible to the center, except:
1. Minor variations can occur, if the material they are made of (rock, basically) is strong enough to support the structure (the mountain).
2. The body's rotation may cause its "equator" to bulge, because centrifugal force (momentum, if you're a purist) resists gravity in that region, but not at the poles.
2007-01-27 01:11:31 · answer #1 · answered by actuator 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gravity molds a planet into a spherical shape, because a sphere is the shape with the greatest volume to its surface area in three dimensions. For the same reason, an oil slick on calm water without wind or waves will tend to draw itself into a circular shape due to surface tension. Fill a bowl of water and put a few drops of olive oil on top. You will see their circular shape; a planet is a three-dimensional analogue of this situation.
2007-01-27 01:01:58 · answer #2 · answered by poorcocoboiboi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is spherical because the strength and structure of rocky material cannot stand up to the force of gravity.
The stronger the gravity the less lumpy the surface would be.
2007-01-27 00:38:52 · answer #3 · answered by Billy Butthead 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If gravity is having the same effect on all of the matter, every point on the surface should be the same distance from the center. As Carl Sagan said, if a mountain gets to a certain height, it would crumble under it's own weight. BTW, he admired everyone who asked that question simply for asking it.
2007-01-27 01:58:37 · answer #4 · answered by Mr. Bodhisattva 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A sphere gives the maximal contraction of mass.
The gravity energy is in a minimum then.
Th
2007-01-27 01:11:32 · answer #5 · answered by Thermo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because turning in space has ground it that way ,it was a piece that broke off another planet to start with after a cosmic collission ,and it is more like a lumpy lemon in shape
2007-01-27 00:41:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
please note that some planets are not perfectly spherical, as their rotation causes a slight bulge around their equator.
2007-01-27 00:58:37 · answer #7 · answered by matthewjenglish 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋