- #1
mrblint
- 5
- 0
What makes the world spin?
Mordred said:The reason the world spins on its axis has to do with the conservation of angular momentum.
As the dust gathered that formed our planet the dust collisions imparted inertia. As the diameter decreased the angular momentum increases much like a spinning figure skater.
Nearby large gravitational bodies can affect the spin in a fashion called "tidally locked"
rewtnode said:I still wonder though if there are any planetary systems out there where all this isn't the case, and where the planets are not just in one disk but varying planes of their orbits - and then why that could be?
HallsofIvy said:I thought love made the world go around!
rewtnode said:I still wonder though if there are any planetary systems out there where all this isn't the case, and where the planets are not just in one disk but varying planes of their orbits - and then why that could be?
Would you really consider it "natural" if the world happened to have exactly 0 angular momentum?mrblint said:What makes the world spin?
The Earth spins on its axis due to its angular momentum. This is caused by the Earth's initial rotation when it was formed and its continued rotation due to the conservation of angular momentum.
The Earth's axis of rotation is an imaginary line that runs through the North and South poles. This is the line around which the Earth rotates, causing day and night.
The Earth rotates at a speed of approximately 1,037 miles per hour (or 1,670 kilometers per hour) at the equator. This speed decreases as you move towards the poles.
The Earth's spin is constantly changing, but these changes are very small and imperceptible to humans. Factors such as earthquakes, ocean currents, and atmospheric conditions can affect the Earth's rotation, but these changes are only measurable with specialized equipment.
Yes, the Earth's spin has a significant impact on our daily lives. It determines our day and night cycle, affects the Earth's climate and weather patterns, and even plays a role in the formation of our planet's magnetic field, which protects us from harmful solar radiation.