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Worksheet about Earths Shape | ||
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Subject: Geology | ||
7th Grade | ||
Term 1 | ||
Year: 2023/2024 | ||
Size: 162.6KB | ||
Number of clicks: 95 | ||
Publish date:November 26, 2023 | ||
Added by: Eman | ||
Last download date: 2024-09-09 10:33:05 | By: theodor Grace Vogt | |
File info: The shape of the Earth is approximately an oblate spheroid, meaning it is mostly spherical but slightly flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator. This shape is a result of the Earth's rotation and the forces acting upon it. The Earth's shape was first determined by ancient Greek philosophers and mathematicians, such as Pythagoras and Aristotle, who observed that the Earth casts a round shadow on the Moon during a lunar eclipse. Over time, more accurate measurements and scientific advancements have provided a more precise understanding of the Earth's shape. The primary factors contributing to the Earth's shape are: 1. Rotation: The Earth rotates on its axis, causing a centrifugal force that pushes material away from the axis of rotation, resulting in a bulging at the equator and a flattening at the poles. This effect is known as the equatorial bulge. 2. Gravity: Gravity, the force that attracts objects toward the center of the Earth, also plays a role in shaping the Earth. Gravity causes the planet to settle into a state of hydrostatic equilibrium, where the pressure within the Earth balances the gravitational force. This equilibrium results in a spherical shape, but the rotation-induced bulge at the equator modifies the perfect sphere into an oblate spheroid. 3. Tidal Forces: The gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun on the Earth's oceans creates tidal bulges, which also contribute to the Earth's shape. These tidal forces cause slight variations in the Earth's shape and can influence its overall geometry. 4. Geophysical Processes: The Earth's internal processes, such as convection currents in the mantle and plate tectonics, can cause local variations in the Earth's shape, such as mountains and ocean basins. However, these variations are relatively small compared to the overall shape of the planet. It's important to note that while the Earth is approximately an oblate spheroid, its surface is not perfectly smooth. It exhibits variations in elevation, such as mountains, valleys, and ocean depths. These irregularities are a result of geological processes and the distribution of land and water on the Earth's surface. |
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