Why are planets formed in a spherical shape? Premium
The Hindu
Discover why planets are spherical due to gravity, mass, geometry, and electromagnetic forces explained by Karthik Vinod in The Hindu.
Q: Why are planets formed in a spherical shape?
- Hemant Sardesai
A: The short answer is gravity. This ‘force’, by virtue of the large masses of planets and stars, forces them into a spherical shape.
Part of the answer is also geometry: a sphere is the most compact three-dimensional shape. To be more accurate, for a given volume, a sphere is the shape with the lowest surface area.
If stars and planets had any other shape, gravity would force them to become spherical.
Bodies that are less massive also experience less of a ‘force’ due to gravity and thus will be less compelled to enter into a spherical shape. The electromagnetic forces between the atoms in these bodies will be able to better resist gravity’s attempts to sculpt it.
This is why comets, most asteroids, and even us humans aren’t spherical.
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