Conceptualizing a Flat Earth with Oceans: Theoretical Explanations and Scientific Contradictions

The proposal of a flat Earth has long been a subject of skepticism and scientific scrutiny. One of the most critical challenges to this model is the apparent fluid dynamics or physics involved in the persistence of water bodies, such as oceans. In a traditional spherical Earth, the force of gravity effectively keeps oceans from spilling off the edges and into space. However, if the Earth were flat, what mechanisms would prevent oceans from simply draining off the sides?

Current Understanding vs. Flat Earth Hypothesis

Traditionally, the concept of gravity is used to explain why water stays on Earth and does not drain off. Newton's law of gravitation describes how objects are attracted to each other due to gravity. In a flat Earth model, proponents often invoke a super dense core of molten material that exerts an attractive force on less dense objects, such as water, keeping them fixed to the surface. However, this explanation is not based on empirical evidence and does not conform to established scientific principles. Heliocentrists (those who support the heliocentric model of the solar system) often rely on empirically tested theories and models that have been repeatedly validated by observations and experiments.

The Wrong Question: Tides Explained

The question of why oceans don't drain off the edges of a flat Earth is often seen as the wrong question. A more pertinent inquiry would be what causes tidal changes. Tides are primarily driven by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun, acting on Earth's oceans. The electrostatic or density-based claims made by some flat Earthers to explain tides are often lacking. The second set of tidal forces, influenced by Earth's rotation and the shape of the ocean basins, makes no sense under a flat Earth hypothesis. The absence of a third body (like the Moon) and the irregular curvature of the Earth’s surface make it impossible for the secondary tidal patterns to form as they do on a spherical Earth.

Hypothetical Mechanisms for a Flat Earth

Let us now consider a hypothetical scenario where the Earth is flat. In such a model, several mechanisms could be proposed to explain why oceans would not drain off the edges:

Gravity: Traditional gravity would still act to pull objects toward the center of mass. In a flat Earth model, one might argue that gravity would still act to keep water on the surface, though the mechanics of gravity would need to be redefined. Edge Barriers: A flat Earth might incorporate some form of barrier or wall at the edges to prevent oceans from spilling over. This could be akin to a dam holding back water, but such a barrier would need to be incredibly vast and robust to maintain such an extensive body of water. Atmospheric Pressure: The atmosphere could play a role in holding water in place. If atmospheric pressure is sufficient, it might help to keep water from flowing off the edges. This is not an entirely implausible mechanism, as atmospheric pressure plays a significant role in weather patterns and can have localized effects. Surface Tension and Cohesion: Water molecules have cohesive properties that could theoretically help keep water from flowing off the edge. However, this would be a limited effect on a large scale. Surface tension would only cause minor effects, particularly on the vast scale of an ocean. Centrifugal Forces: If the flat Earth were spinning, centrifugal forces could act to keep water distributed across the surface rather than allowing it to drain off. Centrifugal force is a fictitious force, but it can play a role in distributing objects in a rotating system. Theoretical Forces: In a flat Earth model, one might invoke hypothetical forces or phenomena that do not exist in our current understanding of physics to explain why oceans remain in place. This would involve creating a new set of laws that align with the observed phenomena without conflicting with existing scientific theories.

Conclusion: Scientific and Logical Consistency

While these explanations point out some theoretical possibilities, they also highlight the inherent complexities and contradictions of a flat Earth model. The flat Earth hypothesis is inconsistent with widely accepted scientific understanding of gravity, physics, and the nature of our planet. Tides, specifically the secondary effects, make no sense in a flat Earth context. The absence of a third gravitational body and the irregular curvature of the Earth’s surface render the secondary tidal patterns unexplained.

The primary gravitational force in a flat Earth model would need to be redefined and reinterpreted to accommodate the observed phenomena. The reliance on edge barriers, atmospheric pressure, or theoretical forces introduces numerous challenges and fails to provide a comprehensive, coherent explanation for the behavior of water on a flat Earth.