Question

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

Answer 1

It is a sphere.

Explanation:

All large spinning objects in the universe are spherical in shape. The reason it takes that shape is a combination of the laws of motion and gravity. Gravity pulls at a constant rate towards the center of the object. As the object spins gravity holds the matter together and moving in a circular direction.

Answer 2

Oblate Spheroid

Explanation:

It looks like circular on the side and almost flat on the poles.

It is near oblong and slightly spherical, this is caused by the rotation of the earth. So when the Earth rotates, the tendency of the Earth is to bulge in the middle (equator).

This is an oblate spheroid. This is the shape of the earth. (Never mind the red lines:)

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