Chapter 1: Problem 13

Why is the Earth round?

Short Answer

Expert verified

The Earth is round primarily due to gravity, a force that attracts objects towards each other. As Earth accumulated mass during its formation, its gravitational force increased, leading to a more uniform, spherical shape. Gravity pulls objects towards Earth's center from every direction uniformly, causing the planet to take on a shape with minimum surface area compared to its volume - a sphere. This process applies to other celestial bodies as well, causing them to adopt a spherical shape over time. Though Earth is not a perfect sphere, gravity plays a crucial role in shaping it into the round form we observe today.

Step by step solution

Understanding Gravity

Gravity is the force that attracts two objects towards each other. In the context of the Earth and other celestial bodies, gravity plays a fundamental role in shaping their form. The strength of gravity depends on the mass of the objects and the distance between them. The heavier the objects and the closer they are, the stronger the gravitational force between them.

Gravitational Force and Shaping Celestial Bodies

When celestial bodies form, they accumulate mass, and their gravity increases. Due to the gravitational force, objects with more mass attract nearby materials, causing them to stick together. As they continue to pull in more materials and grow bigger, their gravitational force becomes even stronger. This process leads to the formation of uniformly-shaped objects.

Role of Gravity in Creating a Spherical Shape

As the mass of a celestial body increases, its gravitational force pulls objects towards its center from every direction. This force acts uniformly across the surface of the celestial body, causing it to take on a shape that has minimum surface area compared to its volume. This shape is a sphere because it is the most efficient way to minimize the surface area to volume ratio in three dimensions. Thus, gravity shapes celestial bodies into spheres.

Applying this Understanding to Earth

The Earth, like other celestial bodies, is massive and has a strong gravitational force. This force has been acting for billions of years, pulling objects towards its center and shaping the planet we know today. As a result, the Earth has taken on a roughly spherical shape due to gravity's uniform influence on its surface. Although the Earth is not a perfect sphere (it is slightly flattened at the poles and bulged at the equator), it is still generally round in shape because of gravity's role in shaping it.

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Why is the Earth round?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding Gravity

Gravitational Force and Shaping Celestial Bodies

Role of Gravity in Creating a Spherical Shape

Applying this Understanding to Earth

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