2007-03-20 07:02:57 · 20 answers · asked by laura w 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
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.
2007-03-20 07:06:14 · answer #1 · answered by The Man 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is not round. It is an Obtuse Spheroid. Fatter in the middle. Many have said gravity and they are right as the reason for the shape.
To make it simple - imagine that there a 100 mile arm with a hand on it sticking out. How long would that arm last before wind or an earthquake brought it down?
Most likely when the earth was first formed it was not as round as it is but gravity and the earths rotation dictate the shape.
2007-03-20 14:16:25 · answer #2 · answered by Bryan H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer to that my dear is Gravity =p
A round shape holds the most matter. And planets and stars are made from lots and lots of that. Even though they are huge, planets and stars work to be as small as they can because of gravity. Gravity, the force that pulls matter together, pulls you and the Earth toward each other. It also pulls together all the different matter that the Earth is made from and makes the planet as small as it can be. And that shape is round.
2007-03-20 14:07:31 · answer #3 · answered by Av3rag3Guy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why is the world ROUND?
Because the Galactic Baseball makers made it that way so that very soon in the future some big bastard from some Inter-Galactic baseball team can come along and SMASH us all into a "Home-Run".
Make Hay whilst the sun shines.
God bless
2007-03-24 12:25:08 · answer #4 · answered by howard g 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hello laura, first off the earth is not round but oval. it's shape is determined by the mass, and gravitational field involved with the rotation of the planet. also, the magnetic field of earth has a bearing on the rotation, so that probably helps shape our planet also.
2007-03-20 14:58:35 · answer #5 · answered by mike_dooley49 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it's technically a little egg shaped, but the force of gravity that formed all planets pulls from all directions, hence why planets come out round :)
2007-03-20 14:07:12 · answer #6 · answered by j_holla_3000 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because of the earth rotation on its axis. Also the sphere is the most efficient object in the universe.
2007-03-20 14:09:35 · answer #7 · answered by MoPleasure4U 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
come on girl that theory ended about 400 years ago everybody knows the world is flat
2007-03-20 14:14:58 · answer #8 · answered by darren p 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
for the alternation of day (where peapole go to their work and collect the thingth which they wont for their life)and night (where the peapole gave their bodies a rest with sleep)
2007-03-20 18:21:23 · answer #9 · answered by eldeebminex 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
is it, since when, although i am a bit behind the times i only just found out Graham Norton is gay
2007-03-20 14:07:50 · answer #10 · answered by scotty 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋