2007-05-13 14:29:55 · 9 answers · asked by Austin 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
As soon as a body reaches a certain size, its gravity will force it to settle to a spheroid shape. At the size of planets, with the inner pressure and temperature that exiss in the core, anything behave like a thick liquid.
That said, not all planets are perfect sphere, as the spinning on their axis thing - if it is fast enough -- does tend to create an equatorial bulge that turns some planets into ellipsoids.
2007-05-13 14:38:47 · answer #1 · answered by Vincent G 7 · 70⤊ 7⤋
Actually most of the planets are not exactly spheres. The earth and most others are oblate spheroids meaning that they are a bit fatter at the equator than pole to pole because fo the centripedal force being somewhat greater at that location.
2007-05-13 21:34:07 · answer #2 · answered by docrider28 4 · 29⤊ 3⤋
Earth itself is not a sphere. It is an Ovoid. It is actually bigger around at the equator than was first thought. It's not egg shaped but it is not a perfect sphere either.
2007-05-13 21:54:18 · answer #3 · answered by Kenneth H 3 · 15⤊ 9⤋
No - by definition. One of the things that was settled at last summer's convention was that in order to be called a planet, a body had to be big enough to be spherical due to its own gravitation.
2007-05-13 21:36:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 16⤊ 11⤋
Yes, Earth is not. It is an oblate spheroid.
2007-05-13 21:34:58 · answer #5 · answered by Curiosity 7 · 16⤊ 9⤋
Earth is slightly pear shaped!
THE SOUTH WILL RISE AGAIN!
2007-05-13 21:54:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 55⤋
no
2007-05-13 21:37:42 · answer #7 · answered by serieafan89 2 · 3⤊ 21⤋
If the object is not almost spherical, then the object is not a planet. Even to be classified as a dwarf planet, the object must be almost spherical.
And to the answer above....moons are not planets so they don't count.... ;)
2007-05-13 21:33:51 · answer #8 · answered by hotblondbabe420 4 · 6⤊ 27⤋
The moons on Mars are not spheres, but I think that gravity makes them spheres, even though they are not perfect spheres.
2007-05-13 21:33:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 29⤋