• Question: If the earth is round and gravity is pulling us down if we are in the east or the west why dont we feel like we are at an angle ?

    Asked by becky1997 to Katy, Nathalie, Paula on 24 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Nathalie Pettorelli

      Nathalie Pettorelli answered on 24 Jun 2010:

      Hi Becky,

      I’m not sure I understand the question – the earth is spherical, so wherever we are on its surface, the force we experience is the same, isn’t it?

    • Photo: Katy Mee

      Katy Mee answered on 24 Jun 2010:

      Well the gravity that effects us is actually pulling towards the centre of the Earth, and therefore, even though the Earth is round, it doesn’t matter where we are, the gravity is always pulling what we know as down – towards the centre of the Earth!

    • Photo: Paula Salgado

      Paula Salgado answered on 24 Jun 2010:

      Hi Becky

      Another tough question from you! 😉

      As you say, gravity pulls us towards the Earth.

      The reason why we don’t feel at an angle is because we are pulled towards the centre of the Earth (at the same time that we pull the Earth towards our centre).

      Because the Earth is roughly round, it doesn’t matter where you stand in regards to the Equator or the poles. You experience a force (gravity) that goes from your centre of mass to Earth’s centre of mass, regardless of where you’re standing…

      ooohhh this would be so much easier if I could draw it.. I hope I managed to make it clearer… if not, let me know, I’ll try and explain it another way! 😉

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