Why is the earth a circle?

Question

Why is the earth a circle?

Answer 1

As said, the Earth is not a circle, it is a sphere.  The difference between a circle and a sphere is that a circle is two-dimensional and a sphere is three dimensional.

Now the reason why is: because of gravity.

The gravitational force produced by the mass of the core of the Earth has, over the hundreds of billions of years forced the surface of the Earth to conform, roughly, to a uniform distance from the exact center, hence the sphere.  That's also why, along with erosion, the tallest mountain ranges are the newest.  This is also true of other celestial bodies.  Gravity is a function of mass and any object that has mass has a gravitational pull.  Does this make sense?

Answer 2

It's not its a sphere.

Answer 3

It isn't - it's an oblate Spheroid, and assumes this shape because it has sufficient mass, and therefore gravity, to achieve hydrostatic equilibrium.

In fact, the ability to become 'round' is now one of the things that defines a planet!

Answer 4

ever tried riding on a square wheel

Answer 5

It's a sphere.  A circle is only 2 dimensions.

Gravity is the reason.

Well, gravity pulls all the matter into the most even shape possible. All lengths from the center of the sphere to the edge are the same. It's a result of gravity.

The reason the earth (and all planets for that matter) are slightly squished is because their revolutions force matter to the middle of their masses. Like when you spin a bucket of water, all the water goes to the sides. Oh, the earth's technical name is an "oblique spheroid."

Answer 6

It's a sphere.

If you were to measure the earth from East to West.

It would be "smaller," Than if, you measured it from

North to South, because of the "polar ice caps." <}:-})

Answer 7

Its not a circle, its a sort of sphere.

Answer 8

It's not, it's spherical, it's all to do with gravity.

Answer 9

Its not, its a sphere (roughly). The reason is the force of gravity that always pulls everything towards an objects center of mass. So when the planet was formed from a bunch of smaller objects they would be pulled into a spherical arrangement. The final polishing was performed the forces of erosion which sloughs of material to fill all of the depressions. If it wasn't for plate tectonics constantly forming new mountains the earth would in fact be a lot more spherical. Though it still wouldn't be a perfect sphere though because the earths rotation makes it bulge at the equator.

Answer 10

Earth is oval. Because it is God's work, so no one will know why God make the earth like this. We will know all things after we go to heaven.

Answer 11

it's not perfectly round but it's that way because god or whatever you believe created it that way.

Answer 12

It's a sphere...we live in the 3-D world here.

Answer 13

It isn't. It's an oblate spheroid.

Answer 14

It is a sphere because you can cram more mass into this shape than any other.  All of the heavenly bodies are spherical.  The sphere is not perfectly shaped because of gravitational forces.

Answer 15

it just is!!

Answer 16

On a small two dimensional surface, the Earth is best represented as a circle.

Answer 17

cause if it was a square we would be bumping with the corners every time it goes around

Answer 18

these guys are just being picky they all know what you mean. it cant be round because of gravity some planets dont have any and they're round so it must have something to do with molecular structure all the little molecules pulling on each other.

Answer 19

it is sphere

Answer 20

That's the form it took when god pooped it out