Asked by: Heraclia Urwin
science space and astronomy

How much does the earth curve over 100 miles?

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Using the Pythagorean theorem, that calculates toanaverage curvature of 7.98 inches per mile or approximately8inches per mile (squared).


Hereof, how much does the earth curve in 6 miles?

However, it turns out that while the earthdoescurve 8 inches in one mile, it does not take9miles to curve 72 inches. To show this, let usreturnto the Pythagorean Theorem method used by Harley, butusing6 feet for the curvature.

Secondly, does the earth drop 8 inches every mile? The “eight inches per mile squared”isa rule of thumb to determine the drop height due tothecurvature of the Earth. It does not account fortheobserver's height and atmospheric refraction. The“8inches” rule is also an approximation. Itremains usableuntil up to about 100 miles.

Similarly, how far can you see with the curve of the earth?

The old saying turns out to be just about true. Forasix-foot tall person, the horizon is a little more than 3 miles(5km) away. Geometry tells us that the distance of thehorizon– i.e. the farthest point the eye can seebeforeEarth curves out beneath our view – dependssimply onthe height of the observer.

How many inches of curvature is a mile?

Most sources consider 8 inches per mile asthemost accurate estimate. It means that for every mile ofthedistance between you and a second object,thecurvature will obstruct 8 inches ofitsheight.

Related Question Answers

Glayds Papon

Professional

How far does the earth curve in 1 mile?

The Earth has a radius of approximately3965miles. Using the Pythagorean theorem, that calculates toanaverage curvature of 7.98 inches per mileorapproximately 8 inches per mile (squared).

Walburga Ketteringham

Professional

Can you see earth curvature?

It is possible to see the effect ofthecurvature of the earth from sea level(shipsdisappearing over the horizon). To actually seethecurvature directly (ie to be able to see thehorizonas an arc, rather than a straight line) requires an altitudeofover 50,000 feet.

Otelia Jungjohann

Professional

How far can you see at sea level?

Boat captains say, on average, you can seeshipson the horizon or land at about 12 miles. A rough formulaathttp://science.howstuffworks.com Examples: For an observerstandingon the ground with h = 1.70 metres (5 ft 7 in)(averageeye-level height), the horizon is at adistance of4.7 kilometres (2.9 mi).

Genna Ozepowey

Explainer

Can you see the curve of the earth from Everest?

On Mount Everest, an observer sees thehorizonroughly 230 miles away. The Earth should curve35,000feet. If you're at a high altitude and looking atthehorizon from side to side and seeing a couple hundredmilesof horizon it curves 8 inches per mile.

Bushra Hausen

Explainer

How far is the visible horizon at sea level?

For an observer standing on a hill or tower 100metres(330 ft) above sea level, the horizon is atadistance of 36 kilometres (22 mi).

Emad Touil

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Fedora Edgley

Pundit

How far is the horizon at the ocean?

This is the distance to the horizon,inkilometres. That's 4.8km for a person of average height standingatsea level and looking out to sea.

Yurik Brantuas

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Adhara Kumert

Pundit

How far can you see on a mountain?

From a tall building on a clear day, you canseemountains as far away as about 100miles.

Jetta Meierdirks

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How far can you see on a clear day?

How far can we see if unobstructed? Dust,watervapour and pollution in the air will rarely letyousee more than 20 kilometres (12 miles), even on aclearday. Often, the curvature of the Earth gets in the wayfirst– eg at sea level, the horizon is only 4.8 kilometres(2.9miles) away.

Ala Lindenborn

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Jabran Shazzo

Teacher

What is the formula for curvature of the earth?

Using the theorem of Pythagoras a2=39632 + 12 = 15705370 and thus a=3963.000126 miles. Thus your position is 3963.000126 - 3963=0.000126 miles above the surface of the earth.0.000126miles = 12*5280*0.000126 = 7.98 inches. Hence theearth'ssurface curves approximately 8 inches in onemile.