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"A slightly-squashed sphere" could be any sphere that is flattened in some way, but when used to describe the shape of the Earth the proper technical term is "oblate spheroid." It is a sphere-like shape where the rotational axis- the distance through the Earth from the North Pole to the South Pole, for example- is shorter than the distance through from side to side at the equator.
In the sciences you often find there are many models to explain something, starting with a very simple and basic one and going all the way up to very complex. You can assume that the shape of the Earth is a sphere. If that's not accurate enough for your purposes, the more accurate model is that the Earth is an oblate spheroid. In more detail, the Earth is actually slightly pear-shaped, with the Northern Hemisphere a little tapered compared to the Southern Hemisphere. After that, models of the Earth's shape get more and more detailed and complicated until you end up with topographic maps that chart every little hill and valley.
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What shape does each planet take?
A planet is said to be in `hydrostatic equilibrium, its shape is formed roughly into a sphere by its own gravity. Most planets rotate enough for the sphere to flatten out ever so slightly, squashed at the centre, so really they are `oblate spheroids`.
Is the earth wider taller or is it the same?
The Earths diameter is 12742km on average. It is a slightly squashed sphere though, due to its spin pushing out at the equator. Its polar diameter is 12714km, while its diameter at the equator is 12756km
What is the suns shape?
what is the shape of the sun? the shape of the sun is a 3d shape and it is a sphere.
What does the Draco Dwarf Galaxy look like?
Dwarf galaxies typically don't have a well-defined shape like the spirals many large galaxies form. It's spheroidal, meaning it looks a little bit like a slightly squashed sphere.
What is the size of the earth as a planet?
The Earth has a radius of 6371km on average, so its diameter is 12742km on average. It is a slightly squashed sphere though, due to its spin pushing out at the equator. Its polar diameter is 12714km, while its diameter at the equator is 12756km.
What shape best describe the earth?
a slightly squashed sphere.
Is Earth's shape a circle?
No, the Earth's shape is an oblate. A slightly squashed sphere or ball shape.
Is the earth really spherical?
The Earth is almost spherical. It's slightly squashed, or oblate.
What is the name of a squashed sphere?
An ellipsoid.
What is the name of a slightly squashed circle?
An ellipse
A squashed circle this has no straight edges?
Oval or ellispe is a shape like a slightly squashed circle.
What shape does each planet take?
A planet is said to be in `hydrostatic equilibrium, its shape is formed roughly into a sphere by its own gravity. Most planets rotate enough for the sphere to flatten out ever so slightly, squashed at the centre, so really they are `oblate spheroids`.
Is the earth wider taller or is it the same?
The Earths diameter is 12742km on average. It is a slightly squashed sphere though, due to its spin pushing out at the equator. Its polar diameter is 12714km, while its diameter at the equator is 12756km
What shape is the earth and moon?
Spherical. They are approximately spheres. The earth is more of an oblate sphere, a squashed sphere - this is due to its spin.
Is this world round?
yes..pretty much (its slightly squashed from North to South though..slightly.
What is the suns shape?
what is the shape of the sun? the shape of the sun is a 3d shape and it is a sphere.
Is the earth spherical?
no! it is actually slightly squashed This is known as an oblate spheroid.
