2007-05-31 15:57:11 · 12 answers · asked by 就是我 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
To Bruno: Not the history of Earth
To pczdemon: That doesn't work
Thanks though, both of you.
2007-05-31 16:02:18 · update #1
For navigation. The shortest distance between Canada and Russia isn't going due east like it would be if the earth were a sheet, it's going over the north pole.
2007-05-31 16:03:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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.
2007-06-01 06:21:42 · answer #2 · answered by Sandeep Sagar G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why is it important to know anything? Just take a few days and take the viewpoint that the earth is not round but some other shape. Then try to explain things like when you see a ship sail out to see, it disappears rather than continues to get smaller and smaller, and how could you have communications satellites and stuff like that.
2007-05-31 23:04:44 · answer #3 · answered by cattbarf 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The earth is closer to pear shaped. You want to know what is going on around you. You would like to know where you are and how to get to where you want to go.
Once you know the reasons for the shape, You can use those principles to understand many things.
Or you could join the flat earth society.
2007-05-31 23:13:27 · answer #4 · answered by Richard F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mankind has known the Earth to be round for hundred or thousands of years.
2007-05-31 23:00:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is NOT important. Now if there was a hole in the earth that went to the other side more quickly- now that would be important knowledge.
2007-05-31 23:09:03 · answer #6 · answered by ditdit 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's important because it opens the door to understanding celestial mechanics which in turn is the gateway to understanding the universe.
2007-05-31 23:25:08 · answer #7 · answered by Michael da Man 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So you know that you can't just fall off the Earth.
2007-05-31 23:00:13 · answer #8 · answered by pczdemon 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
so you won't be afraid you'll fall off the earth and be sucked into a vacuum called space. and you'll also be comfortable knowing you can travel through the world and plus traveller's insurance doesn't cover falling off the world...
2007-05-31 23:03:58 · answer #9 · answered by jesslia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So we know that there is no edge, and we don't just inhabit one side for fear of falling off. Falling off the Earth would suck.
2007-05-31 23:05:20 · answer #10 · answered by xodus53 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋