Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: Frederik Creemers on 23/10/2010 11:30:07

Title: Why are circles ubiquitous in nature?
Post by: Frederik Creemers on 23/10/2010 11:30:07

Frederik Creemers  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Hi

I'm Frederik Creemers.

I was wondering, is there a reason why circles, spheres, circular and spherical motion occur so often in nature, and in our universe? Electrons circle around atom cores, moons rotate around a planet, planits around a star, stars around the center of a milkiway,... but also most fruits, and other things that grow on plants are round. When birds build their nests, the nests are round most of the time,...
why?

Greetings
Frederik

What do you think?

Title: Why are circles ubiquitous in nature?
Post by: RD on 23/10/2010 15:23:29

Economy: the shape with the lowest surface area to volume ratio is the sphere ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surface-area-to-volume_ratio#Examples

If you want to enclose a given volume with the least amount of a material then the shape must be spherical.

Title: Why are circles ubiquitous in nature?
Post by: maffsolo on 24/10/2010 02:13:16

Can constructive strength being more evenly distribued throughout, be considered?

Title: Why are circles ubiquitous in nature?
Post by: JnA on 02/11/2010 06:17:38

I don't agree that *most* things are round..

spirals  yes...   

Title: Why are circles ubiquitous in nature?
Post by: HumanEnigma on 06/11/2010 01:23:38

You'll find many more ellipses than you will true circles (circles are technically ellipses). Gravitational pull will have a lot to do with why we see 'circles' and 'spheres' in our universe.