Shape of the Earth
The actual shape of the Earth is an Oblate Spheroid
the earth is slightly flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator
Therefore the equatorial diameter is larger
The Earth is very slightly oblate about a 43km difference between the polar and equatorial diameters
The Earth appears to look like a sphere from space
The gravitational pull is greater at the Poles than the Equator The gravitational pull is greater at the Poles than the Equator. This is because at the Poles you are closer to the center of the earth.
Evidences of Earth’s Shape
Eclipses – Shadow of the earth is cast upon the moon in a lunar eclipse
Sunset – light lingers at the top of trees, then the top of hilltops, then finally the clouds
Large Objects on the Horizon – Objects disappear bottom up and Objects appear top down
Photographs from Space – Best evidence of shape
Polaris (North Star) - Altitude of Polaris should change exactly in step with distance north from equator but doesn’t
Dimensions for the Earth LOOK IN YOUR ESRT
Equatorial Radius 6378km 3963mi Polar Radius 6356.5 km 3950mi
Equitorial Diameter 12,756km 7926mi Polar Diameter 12,713km 7899mi