2007-12-15 08:20:02 · 5 answers · asked by mr.loveexpert 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The answer is, mostly gravity but some centrifugal force (in the colloquial meaning of the term.) Once an object exceeds a certain size, its self gravity becomes stronger than the material that makes up the object, so it assumes a spherical shape which is the shape with the least potential energy. Depending on how fast it rotates, the equatorial region will be thrown outward such that the overall shape becomes an oblate spheroid (flattened sphere.)
2007-12-15 13:03:02 · answer #1 · answered by George 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am guessing gravity. Cause things have a tendency to head for the centre of gravity, and so if it were big enough, it should build up over time.
2007-12-15 12:11:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure there is a name for the proces, but check this out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_nebula
2007-12-15 08:34:51 · answer #3 · answered by Jansen J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah.. it's gravity.
2007-12-15 14:57:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's called tectonics.
2007-12-15 08:25:21 · answer #5 · answered by Loren S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋