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Questions and Answers
Which term describes the shape of the Earth?
Which term describes the shape of the Earth?
- Oblate spheroid (correct)
- Sphere
- Cylinder
- Ellipsoid
What is the difference between the equatorial circumference and polar circumference of the Earth?
What is the difference between the equatorial circumference and polar circumference of the Earth?
- The equatorial circumference and polar circumference are equal
- The polar circumference is larger than the equatorial circumference
- The equatorial circumference and polar circumference cannot be measured
- The equatorial circumference is larger than the polar circumference (correct)
Why is the Earth considered an oblate spheroid?
Why is the Earth considered an oblate spheroid?
- Because it is perfectly round
- Because it is a combination of a sphere and a cylinder
- Because it has a bulging equator and flattened poles (correct)
- Because it is elongated in shape
What quantities can be computed based on the Earth's measurements?
What quantities can be computed based on the Earth's measurements?
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What is the suffix attached to the root word 'sphere' to describe the Earth's shape?
What is the suffix attached to the root word 'sphere' to describe the Earth's shape?
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Study Notes
Earth's Shape
- The Earth is an oblate spheroid, meaning it is a sphere that is slightly flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator.
Earth's Circumference
- The equatorial circumference of the Earth is 40,075 kilometers (24,901 miles).
- The polar circumference of the Earth is 40,008 kilometers (24,860 miles).
- The difference between the two is approximately 43 kilometers (27 miles), which is caused by the Earth's rotation.
Earth's Rotation
- The Earth's rotation causes a centrifugal force that pushes outward, causing the equator to bulge and the poles to flatten.
Earth's Measurements
- Based on the Earth's measurements, we can calculate:
- Surface area
- Volume
- Gravity
- Rotation period
Suffix for Earth's Shape
- The suffix "oid" is attached to the root word "sphere" to describe the Earth's shape as an oblate spheroid.
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