we say that earth is sherical in shape. if it is true, people below equator must have the feeling of hanging upside down. but in reality it is not so. why?
2007-04-23 00:17:45 · 11 answers · asked by ap 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
It is the gravity that holds people to the earth.
To convince yourself that earth is spherical , note the following observation by Aristotle,
Aristotle cited two convincing arguments for the earth's sphericity. First is the fact that during a lunar eclipse, as the moon enters or emerges from the earth's shadow, the shape of the shadow seen on the moon is always round. Only a spherical object always produces a round shadow. If the earth were a disk, for example, there would be some occasions when the sunlight would be striking the disk edge on, and the shadow on the moon would be a line.
Also note this,
Earth is not a perfect sphere and is not of uniform density. The main deviation from sphericity is the earth's equatorial bulge, which causes gravity to be weaker at the equator than the poles.
2007-04-23 03:04:35 · answer #1 · answered by prthyu 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our feelings of down and up are provided by gravity.
Up is towards the sky and down is the earth. Thus these are different directions depending on what place on the earth you are.
Considering the south pole is actually positive really the people above the equator should feel upside down. Its just that because Europe made the map, Europe is up the top.
2007-04-23 00:29:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In a word gravity. Gravity is the force that pulls you back to earth when you jump up. Gravity holds the atmosphere to the earth. Actually your question also assumes the standard classroom globe depicts the correct spacial orientation of the earth to the universe. There is no up or down in the universe there is only gravity.
2007-04-23 00:34:33 · answer #3 · answered by Mr Wizard 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For the very simple reason that your head is still in the sky and foot is still on the ground. There is really nothing up or down. Every "up" direction you know is actually the direction against the gravity, and "down" - towards the gravity. It is valid everywhere on earth.
2007-04-23 06:04:46 · answer #4 · answered by saudipta c 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because Gravity draws objects on the surface of the plane to its center. Since the planet is spherical (and the reason WHY it and all other celestial bodies are spherical), there is no difference where you are on the planet.
2007-04-23 00:26:33 · answer #5 · answered by Hans B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah but whos to say whats really north or south. Maybe the north is the south and they r the ones upside down.
2007-04-23 00:26:47 · answer #6 · answered by thfcsydney 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because gravity pulls you towards the centre of the earth
2007-04-23 00:34:40 · answer #7 · answered by murnip 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Earth is not a perfect sphere. It is an oblate spheroid. Gravity pulls toward its center, so directions are based upon that.
2007-04-23 04:00:43 · answer #8 · answered by miyuki & kyojin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you hit the brakes in a car, how come you feel like you're starting to move forward?
Same deal. Einstein says so.
2007-04-23 06:04:12 · answer #9 · answered by Bob 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't know where you buy stripper poles, but it does sound like fun to swing around them, and hang upside down. i may just get one!
2016-05-17 04:32:14 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋