How would weather change if Earth were a cube?

Question

We had to answer this in science class recently, and I thought it would be interesting if other people posted what they thought.

Answer 1

There is a simple answer and a not so simple one. First the simple one. If the earth was a cube, it would mean that its mass would be less than 0.15% it current mass. Anything larger would become spherical because of gravitational pull. With such a low mass, earth would not have an atmosphere. To have an atmosphere, a celestial body needs to be more than 2% the mass of the earth. No atmosphere. No weather.

But imagine if earth was the current size, had an atmosphere and was cubic. This would mean that the earth would have eight enormous mountains, thousands of miles high (Mt. Everest is less than 6 miles high). These mountains would reach to the outer space. There is practically no atmosphere after 100 miles altitude. People could climb up one of these mountains and easily launch themselves into earth orbit. If the oceans were equally divided, the earth would have 6 very deep circular oceans on each of the faces of the cube. The six oceans would be separated by the 12 huge mountain ridges. These ridges would also reach space heights. This planet would not have trans-ocean currents like our thermohaline circulation. There would be smaller intra-ocean circulation, which would mean the weather would be more extreme region to region. If the earth rotated along a face, two of our oceans would be polar oceans, frozen solid. If rotation was true to the axis of orbit, the sun would never rise nor set in the polar region, only go round and round on the horizon. On the other four faces, the coasts may be tropical near the "equator". Within miles of the coast, would be a snow region. This snow region would increase in severity of coldness with severe storms to an elevation of 10 miles. After that, it will be tranquil, no storms, but dry and intensely cold desert region. This region would be followed by a final "space region" with little or no atmosphere.

Answer 2

There would be many interesting effects on weather if the earth was a cube. Gravity would attract the oceans and atmosphere to the lowest points closest to the center of gravity. The six centers of the faces of the cube would attract all liquids and gases and the edges and corners would be above water but air would be scarce at the eight corners like the tops of very tall mountains. the sun's rays are fairly evenly distributed on a globe but would make a much sharper angle with continuous flat surfaces. Prevailing wind direction and strength (on land) would likely encourage air masses to travel in the same direction toward higher elevations and edges and corners. Edges and corners would likely isolate air masses to the six faces of the cube. There would be six round isolated oceans at the centers of the faces (nearest the center of gravity). Depending on how the cube rotated relative to the sun, certain faces may be drenched in sunlight once per day and possibly two faces would remain cold and dark. If the axis of spin created poles through two opposite corners, heating might be relatively even for all cube faces unless the axis pointed directly at the sun.

Answer 3

Would have much more compartmentilized climates. Since the cube has six sides you would see more drastic climates in each section. With a globe or sphere the climates tend to flow and circulate, this would be difficult with the cube. Also, as the sun hits a side you might have 4 or 5 sides totally in the dark would be horrid for commerce. Also at the edges of each side you would have water falls some 20 or 30 miles high with unavigable oceans and rivers.

Answer 4

Since much of our weather is the result of the Coriolis Effect, rotation of hurricanes for example, that wouldn't be possible on a cube. The Effect, and the spherical Earth are connected.

Answer 5

there would be a sudden change of weather at edges...and as we go away from edge towards mid the effect of cube decreases

Answer 6

the poles are still melting, because no matter what is the shape of the earth people still contaminating

EVEN WITH "ROUND HEADS" WE DON'T THINK AND THE GLOBAL WARMING EXISTS, CAN YOU IMAGINE WITH "CUBE HEADS"!!

YOUR SCIENCE TEACHER HAVE A "CUBE HEAD", TELL THIS PERSON TO DO A BETTER PROJECT LIKE HOW TO SAVE THE PLANET, DON'T WASTE TIME IN CRAB!!