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The spinning motion of the Earth causes it to flatten slightly at the poles and bulge at the equator. This flattening, known as oblateness, is a result of the centrifugal force counteracting the gravitational force at the equator. The shape of the Earth is an oblate spheroid due to this flattening.

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Which planet has the greatest polar flattening?

Saturn has the greatest polar flattening of any planet in our solar system. Its oblateness, or polar flattening, is due to its rapid rotation, causing it to bulge at the equator and flatten at the poles.


What is polar flattening?

Polar flattening, also known as oblateness, refers to the deviation of a planet's shape from a perfect sphere, resulting in a slightly flattened appearance at the poles compared to the equator. This occurs due to centrifugal forces caused by the planet's rotation. For example, Earth is an oblate spheroid with a polar flattening of about 0.00335.


What is the approximate flattening of earth?

The approximate flattening of the Earth, also known as its oblateness, is about 1/298.257. This means that the Earth's equatorial radius is about 21 kilometers larger than its polar radius, resulting in a slight bulge at the equator. This flattening is a consequence of the Earth's rotation and the resulting centrifugal force. Overall, the Earth's shape is best described as an oblate spheroid.


What is polar flattening and why is the polar flattening of Saturn unique?

Polar flattening refers to the phenomenon where a planet's shape is not a perfect sphere but is instead slightly compressed at the poles and bulging at the equator due to its rotation. Saturn exhibits significant polar flattening because it has a fast rotation rate and a low density, leading to a pronounced equatorial bulge. This flattening is unique among planets in the solar system, as Saturn's equatorial diameter is markedly larger than its polar diameter, making it one of the most oblate planets. The degree of this flattening contributes to Saturn's distinctive appearance and is a key factor in its atmospheric dynamics.


What causes the flattening of poles?

The rotation of the planet.


What map is made by flattening the earth surface?

geonomic?


What causes slight flattening of the earth at two poles?

used by spinning motion of the earth around its axis passing through the poles...the force being max at the equator...since at tym of formation, earth was in fluid state, the force of cohesion was small & could not balance the centrifugal force...hence it bulged out at the equator


What does the difference between the Earth's polar circumference and the Earth's equatorial circumference tell you about the Earth's shape?

The difference between the Earth's polar circumference and equatorial circumference, known as the flattening of the Earth, indicates that the Earth is an oblate spheroid. This means that the Earth is slightly flattened at the poles and bulges at the equator, making it not a perfect sphere.


What causes your planet to have sesons?

The Earth has seasons because it polar axis is tilted relative to its orbit.


Did all planet have spherical shape?

Nearly spherical, with some polar flattening for the large gas giants which spin quickly.


What causes polar easterlies?

Polar easterlies are winds that move in near the north and south poles at 60 to 90 degrees (north or south). They are next to the prevailing westerlies. The polar easterlies are cold and windy, while the prevailing westerlies are hot and dry. The rotation of the Earth and the Sun's heat causes Polar easterlies.


Which event causes the earth to have day and night?

No "event" causes that.The continuous rotation of the planet on its polar axis it responsible for the progression of day and night.