2007-03-29 02:10:12 · 18 answers · asked by imogen1957 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
It is a misconception, an optical illusion. Water does bend to the same shape as the earth. It is only because you can't see far enough to be able to view its curvature. Take a look from space and you will see that the world's oceans are indeed as round as the rest of the planet. Even a glass of water is not flat..... it may have only a 1 Billionth of a nanometre of curvature but it aint flat. It is impossible to measure the sea and ocean with a conventional "flat stick" or a spirit level because there isn't one big enough, so you'll just have to take my word for it.
Also note that if the ocean were flat (as was believed in the days before Columbus) you'd eventually sail off the edge of it, wouldn't you?
Its all to do with gravitational pull which is equal in all 360 degrees. Therefore the water cannot remain flat.
2007-03-29 02:20:27 · answer #1 · answered by Traveller 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's not flat. Have you ever looked out at the sea? You can see it bending over the horizon and yes it's gravity that makes water follow the curvature of the world.
2007-03-29 04:04:16 · answer #2 · answered by Airelle 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
similar reason the land seems flat. besides the indisputable fact that in case you visit the seashore quicker or later and seem out on the vastness of the sea, as you brush your gaze from left to suitable, you may observe a very mild curvature on the horizon. If our planet became smaller the curvature could be extra suggested. attempt it
2016-12-02 23:25:29 · answer #3 · answered by camargo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
water is never flat, always curved - it follows the curvature of the earth due to gravity.
You are seeing an illusion.
Its also not flat in your glass of water, it has a slightly raised bump in the middle, and it raises where it touches the glass too!
2007-03-29 02:15:38 · answer #4 · answered by Maria G 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It follows the round curvature, because round things are more fashionable at the moment.
2007-03-29 02:24:26 · answer #5 · answered by Hi T 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Water isn't flat. Over a large scale (ignoring disturbances like waves) water forms an equipotential surface; if the water could reduce its energy by flowing from one place to another, it would.
That equipotential surface is locally flat, but roughly spherical over the entire earth. It also has bulges over areas of mass concentrations and dips in areas of mass deficiencies; this is how measurement of sea-surface altitudes can find things like undersea mountains.
2007-03-29 02:17:54 · answer #6 · answered by Engineer-Poet 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Following on from the gravity answers - I'm pretty sure that its the activity of the moon that affects the oceans.
- Ie high tide is when the moon is overhead.
2007-03-29 02:25:42 · answer #7 · answered by Simon C 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The pull of gravity from the centre of the Earth, which is "equal" in every direction.
2007-03-29 02:55:01 · answer #8 · answered by Tropic-of-Cancer 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is because of Gravity...everything gets attracted towards the center of EARTH .
2007-03-29 02:24:46 · answer #9 · answered by Jenna 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Water is not flat across large distances - it is curved like the Earth.
2007-03-29 02:15:11 · answer #10 · answered by gav 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋