Who was the first one to say that the earth is NOT flat?

Answer 1

The earth is shaped like a ball. A ball shape is called a sphere. The earth is called "nearly" spherical because it is not quite a ball shape. It is a little flatter on the top than the bottom which pokes out a bit.

The shape of the earth is called an oblate sphereoid (shaped like an orange for instance) as opposed to a prelate sphereoid (shaped like a Rugby ball)

Answer 2

Isn't it obvious that the Earth is flat? Any ancient Sumerian or Egyptian farmer could have told you THAT!

Ummm, except the Phoenicians 3,000 years ago knew that the Earth wasn't flat, because when they sailed away from the coast, the low buildings disappeared behind the sea, while the tall buildings were still visible. And the cities disappeared, even though the mountains were still in view. And even they knew that a lookout at the masthead could see ships or islands farther than a lookout on the deck.

Answer 3

Historical records attribute the understanding that the Earth is round to the ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras in the 6th century BC. He noted that the Earth cast a round shadow on the moon during a lunar eclipse. However, it was further reinforced by observations and calculations made by Aristotle and later navigational explorations by figures like Ferdinand Magellan.

Answer 4

We don't know. We do know that the ancient Greeks in the 3rd century BC knew that the Earth was round, and the mathematician/astronomer Eratosthenes had calculated the size of the Earth within 15% of the correct value. Before that, the even-more-ancient Phoenicians almost certainly knew that the Earth was round. This is pretty obvious to a sailor, and the Phoenicians were the expert sailors of the age.

Answer 5

We don't know. Ancient Greek, and even earlier Phoenician, sailors knew that the Earth was round, and both Aristarchus of Samos and Eratosthenes had calculated the size of the Earth with amazing accuracy, considering that it was 2400 years ago.

Answer 6

The sphere is the most compact form for matter. You must know one thing that sphere is the only shape in which maximum volume and minimum area is occupied and most of substance tries to be in spherical shape. Since gravity acts to pull all the matter of a body toward the center, enough gravity (enough matter) creates a sphere.

Smaller objects, such as small moons and asteroids, are not large enough to create the full spheroid shape.

Lastly, the rotation of an object will tend to throw the mass into what's called an 'oblate' spheroid, meaning the object is wider at the equator, narrower at the poles (like earth). The faster an object spins, the worse the effect.

Answer 7

Because a sphere is the most compact shape under the force of gravity. All bodies above a certain mass will become more or less spherical, and so that is one of the new criteria for defining a planet: it must have enough mass to be spherical.

Answer 8

Earth's seasons are the primary indicator. If earth's axis were not tilted,

the sun's zenith (highest point) would be the same each day. Instead, the

sun climbs higher and higher into the sky during the summer months, and

lower during the winter months.

Answer 9

by observing and disscovering things...

and why did they found out hat the earth is round...because of the core,crust,mantle,and moho that shaped like a ball...because what it is outside it is inside...and by going to outer space using spacecrafts,spaceships,etc.

hope i can help...

Answer 10

the Earth is not truly a sphere. the Earth got its shape the same way a drop of liquid would out in space. it is the most energy efficient form. the molten prehistoric Earth would be considered in a liquid state, so it would have rounded itself out from the get-go.