| You are here: Almanahj Website ⇒ American curriculum ⇒ 3rd Grade ⇒ Geology ⇒ Term 1 | ||
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Worksheet about Earths Shape | ||
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| Subject: Geology | ||
| 3rd Grade | ||
| Term 1 | ||
| Year: 2023/2024 | ||
| Number of pages: 7 | ||
| Size: 187.4KB | ||
| Number of clicks: 90 | ||
| Publish date:November 27, 2023 | ||
| Added by: Eman | ||
| Last download date: 2024-09-10 02:28:22 | ||
| Updated by: Eman9966 on 2023-11-27 07:52:09 | By: theodor Grace Vogt | |
| File info: The shape of the Earth is approximately an oblate spheroid, which means it is mostly spherical but slightly flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator. This shape is often compared to that of a slightly squashed ball. The Earth's shape is primarily a result of its rotation. The centrifugal force generated by the Earth's rotation causes the equatorial region to bulge outward, while the polar regions experience a slight flattening. As a result, the equatorial diameter is larger than the polar diameter. The Earth's shape was first determined by ancient Greek astronomers and mathematicians. In the 3rd century BCE, the Greek philosopher and mathematician Eratosthenes accurately calculated the Earth's circumference using simple geometric principles. Later, measurements made by modern techniques such as satellite observations, global positioning systems (GPS), and advanced surveying methods have further confirmed the Earth's oblate spheroid shape. The exact measurements of the Earth's shape are defined by a reference ellipsoid called the World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS84). According to the WGS84 model, the Earth has an equatorial radius of approximately 6,378 kilometers (3,963 miles) and a polar radius of about 6,357 kilometers (3,950 miles). The flattening of the Earth is quantified by the eccentricity, which is about 0.00335. It's important to note that while the Earth is generally considered an oblate spheroid, it is not a perfect shape. Local variations in the Earth's gravitational field, tectonic activity, and other factors can cause small deviations from the idealized shape. Additionally, features such as mountains, valleys, and oceanic trenches can introduce local irregularities on the Earth's surface. Nevertheless, the overall shape of the Earth is well approximated by an oblate spheroid. | ||
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