need help with homework = ]
2007-09-11 12:45:03 · 4 answers · asked by jeffery s 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Centrifugal force:
Does the centrifugal force of the Earth's rotation affect the Earth itself?
Yes, it, makes the earth oval instead of a perfect sphere. The equatorial radius of Earth is 6378 km, while the polar radius is 6357 km (average radius, 6371 km)
Jupiter and Saturn both rotate around their axes in about 10 hours. Would you expect them to be more oval or more spherical than the Earth?
More oval; in fact, they look oval in the telescope. For Earth the difference between polar and equatorial radii is 1/297 of the radius; for Jupiter 1/15, for Saturn 1/9.5.
This is my help from Washington, D.C. USA.
2007-09-11 13:13:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it's because of the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the earth. And also the gravity of the moon is working on the earth, pulling it out of shape a little bit.
2007-09-11 12:55:15 · answer #2 · answered by Batfish 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It isn't oval it is an oblate spheroid which is a sphere somewhat flattened at the poles.
2007-09-11 13:43:42 · answer #3 · answered by tentofield 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
earth is a sphere not oval
2007-09-11 20:37:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋