Question

What is the actual shape of the earth? Why is it shaped that way?

Answer 1

Hint: You could initially discuss what Earth’s shape was believed to be in olden times. Then you could give a brief description of the shape of earth as per present day beliefs. You could then provide the term that is given to describe such a shape. Also, mention the reason responsible for such a shape.

Complete step by step answer:
In the question, we are asked to give the actual shape of earth along with the reason responsible for that particular shape. Earth’s shape has always been a controversy since time immemorial. There was a time earth was believed to be flat. Centuries have passed and now we know that Earth isn’t flat but rather an oblate spheroid.
Basically, it is almost flat at the poles and circular at the sides. It is slightly elliptical but mostly like a sphere. That is how it becomes an oblate spheroid. Another name given to this shape is geoid.
The shape of the earth has to do with its rotation. Earth’s rotation about its axis gives it a tendency to bugle at the middle around the equator. So it is more bulged at the middle with flat poles and hence its shape.

Note: However, the shape of earth is not constant but changing periodically being influenced by the ocean and the crust. The change is too slow. Certain events like earthquakes and volcanic eruptions accelerate this change. We have a branch of science that deals with the evaluation and survey of size and shape of earth called Geodesy.