KS3 science? Mike Linley talks about the shape of the Earth
Describing the Earth's features...
In KS3 science, the Earth is described as being an "oblate spheroid." The Earth is very, VERY NEARLY a perfect sphere. It’s more accurately spherical than a official competition billard ball (even with mount everest!).
Developing Experts looks closer (or from further away in this case).
However, looking at this idea in more detail in KS3 science, because it spins, it’s subject to centrifugal effect that flings the equator outwards more than the poles. The equator is pushed outwards by about 13 miles compared to the poles. This seems like a lot…but compared to the gigantic size of the planet - 13 miles isn’t much.
The result is that the true shape of the Earth is normally described at KS3 science as an “oblate spheroid” - which is basically a 3D ellipse…although in reality the shape is more complicated than that.