If the earth stopped spinning

In summary, the conversation discusses the gravitational effects on people and the potential difference if the Earth were to suddenly stop rotating. The formula for centripetal force and acceleration is mentioned, along with the minor impact of Earth's rotation on gravity. The potential danger of a sudden stop in rotation is also mentioned.
  • #1
Pengwuino
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What would be the gravitational effects on people if this happened? I figure gravitational force - centripetal force = 9.8m/s^2... so is the gravitational force much stronger then 9.8?
 
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  • #2
You can see here that the formula for the centripetal force is [tex]F = mv^2 / r[/tex], so the centripetal acceleration would be [tex]v^2 /r[/tex]. Here, v is the circumference of the Earth divided by the rotation period of the Earth (assuming you're standing at the equator), or 2*pi*r/(86400 seconds) , so squaring this and dividing by r gives 4*pi^2*r/(7.46496*10^9 s^2) = 0.034 meters/second^2. So, if the Earth wasn't rotating gravity would only feel about 1.0035 times as strong as it does now at the equator, not a noticeable difference.
 
  • #3
Oh pff... guess i was wrong :D thanks!
 
  • #4
Jesse has it right. The centripetal force due to Earth's rotation is minor compared to gravity. The inertial force, on the other hand, might be worrisome were the Earth to suddenly stop rotating. Buckle up. According to the Surgeon General, slamming into a mountain at ~1000 miles per hour can be hazardous to your health.
 

1. What would happen if the earth suddenly stopped spinning?

If the earth were to suddenly stop spinning, everything on its surface would be launched towards the east at high speeds due to the inertia of its rotation. This would result in catastrophic winds, earthquakes, and tsunamis.

2. Would the earth stop revolving around the sun if it stopped spinning?

No, the earth's rotation and revolution around the sun are two separate motions. The earth's revolution is caused by the gravitational pull of the sun, which would not be affected by the earth's spinning or lack thereof.

3. How long would it take for life on earth to cease to exist if the earth stopped spinning?

It is difficult to determine an exact timeline, but it is safe to say that life on earth would be significantly impacted within a matter of days. The sudden change in temperature and atmospheric conditions would make it difficult for most life forms to survive.

4. Is it possible for the earth to actually stop spinning?

The earth's rotation is caused by its angular momentum, which is a result of its initial formation and ongoing interactions with other celestial bodies. It is highly unlikely that the earth would suddenly stop spinning without some external force or event.

5. Would a stopped earth affect the earth's magnetic field?

Yes, the earth's magnetic field is generated by the movement of its liquid iron core, which is influenced by the earth's rotation. If the earth were to stop spinning, the magnetic field would also be affected and could potentially change or weaken over time.

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