What does the Earth stand on?

@franxav (13849)
India
May 8, 2024 10:26pm CST
As a teacher I have been clean bowled often by the questions thrown at me often. This is one of them. It popped up when I was explaining the movements of the earth. A little one asked," We stand on the earth but in what does the earth stand on?" According to one Indian mythology, the earth stads on top of the head of "Shesh Naag", a huge snake. Another one says that it rests on the back of a big tortoise. Someone say when the tortoise changes its leg after being tired of standing on one position, we have earthquakes. We Indian people can be very unscientific, ( Our PM is notorious for it). Well, I tried to explain the astronomy with whatever knowledge I possess, which unfortunately gave rise to more questions! I intently gazed at the pick of the earth in the space. It gave me an eerie feeling that earth has nothing to stand on.
6 people like this
6 responses
Curlann
@annierose (21571)
• Philippines
9 May
While it might seem strange at first, the Earth doesn't need a physical object to support it because it's constantly moving through space in accordance with the laws of gravity. Explaining these concepts in simple terms to young students can help demystify the idea and encourage their curiosity about the wonders of the universe.
3 people like this
Xavier Bage
@franxav (13849)
• India
10 May
Well said. These are the concepts l try to build in the students. They gradually come to that level of grasping. The videos of planets moving around the sun help them to understand how this law of gravity works.
1 person likes this
Curlann
@annierose (21571)
• Philippines
10 May
@franxav It is great to hear about your approach Xavier! Using videos to show the planets in motion can really help make these abstract concepts more tangible for students.
2 people like this
Xavier Bage
@franxav (13849)
• India
10 May
@annierose so true. . Thank you for such meaningful comments.
1 person likes this
Kareng
@kareng (61740)
• United States
9 May
Very true unless you say it is supported by the solar system. I'm guessing there is some magnetic pull going on in outer space. It sounds like those students are keeping you on your toes!!
3 people like this
Kareng
@kareng (61740)
• United States
11 May
Xavier Bage
@franxav (13849)
• India
10 May
They definitely keep me on my toes. So much so, last evening their foster mother got annoyed and told them to stop the discussion.
2 people like this
Judy Story
@jstory07 (139974)
• Roseburg, Oregon
9 May
Earth is standing among the clouds.
2 people like this
Xavier Bage
@franxav (13849)
• India
10 May
That's an answer surely.
1 person likes this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (342088)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 May
I'm really glad I didn't have to answer such a question.
2 people like this
Xavier Bage
@franxav (13849)
• India
10 May
I can't escape because this is part of my life in this child care institute.
2 people like this
Judy Evans
@JudyEv (342088)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 May
@franxav I'm sure you get handed lots of hard-to-answer questions.
Scar D. Cat
@Scarred4Lyfe (613)
•
9 May
Try and wrap your brain around this - if the Earth were to 'fall' it would fall into the sun, even though the sun is up and not down...
2 people like this
Xavier Bage
@franxav (13849)
• India
10 May
Though fully true that concept will cause further questions . And I believe that kind of curiosity does good to the students.
2 people like this
Jimmy Dozier
@JimmyDeen (250)
•
9 May
I read somewhere it's standing on a big elephant.
Xavier Bage
@franxav (13849)
• India
10 May
And on what is the elephant standing on, what do they say about that? The curious one would like to know.