Length of Days: Past vs. Present - Comparing Rotation Speeds

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In summary, the conversation discusses the idea that the Earth's rotation used to be faster, resulting in shorter days. The speaker asks if there is a chart to compare the length of days in the past to the current speed. Another person suggests a source that states the Earth's rotation was about 1.7 milliseconds per century, meaning that 100,000 years ago, the day was approximately 1.7 seconds longer.
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I was reading a different thread that said that the length of days used to be shorter because the Earth's rotation was faster (because Earth's distance to the moon was shorter). If this is true, does anyone know if there is a chart that tells how long a day would have been 100 years ago, 500 years ago, 1000 years ago, 10000 years ago, 1000000 years ago - in comparison to how long a day is today with our current rotation speed? Please let me know.
 
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What is the significance of studying the rotation speeds of the Earth in the past and present?

Studying the rotation speeds of the Earth can provide valuable insights into the history of our planet and how it has changed over time. It can also help us understand how the Earth's rotation impacts our daily lives and the natural processes that occur on our planet.

How do scientists measure the length of days in the past and present?

Scientists use a variety of methods to measure the length of days, including analyzing historical records, studying tree rings, and using astronomical observations. In more recent times, atomic clocks have been used to precisely measure the length of a day in milliseconds.

What factors can affect the Earth's rotation speed?

The Earth's rotation speed can be influenced by a number of factors, including changes in the Earth's mass distribution, tidal interactions with the Moon and other planets, and even climate change. These factors can cause small variations in the Earth's rotation speed over time.

Has the Earth's rotation speed changed significantly over time?

The Earth's rotation speed has indeed changed over time, but the changes have been relatively small. Due to the conservation of angular momentum, any changes in the Earth's rotation speed must be balanced out by changes in its shape or distribution of mass. This means that the Earth's rotation speed has remained relatively stable over long periods of time.

Can studying the Earth's rotation speed help us predict future changes?

Studying the Earth's rotation speed can provide us with valuable data that can help us make predictions about future changes in our planet's rotation. By understanding the factors that can affect the Earth's rotation speed and how they have changed in the past, scientists can make informed predictions about potential future changes and the impact they may have on our planet.

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