Can a Ring Around Earth Stop Its Rotation?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter D9 XTC
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Earth Spinning
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the hypothetical scenario of a ring surrounding Earth, connected by cables, and whether this setup could stop Earth's rotation. It involves concepts of physics related to rotational dynamics and magnetic fields, with implications for natural rhythms on Earth.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes a scenario where a ring around Earth, equipped with magnets and connected by cables, could act as a generator as Earth rotates.
  • Another participant argues that the ring would eventually rotate at the same speed as Earth, suggesting that the Earth's rotation would not stop completely.
  • A third participant expresses skepticism about both previous claims, indicating that there are flaws in the reasoning.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential consequences of a slowing Earth, including disruptions to natural rhythms, as well as the implications of the ring's rotation on the generator concept.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus; there are competing views on the effects of the ring on Earth's rotation and the feasibility of the proposed generator concept.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include assumptions about the mechanics of the ring and Earth's rotation, as well as the undefined nature of the interactions between the ring and Earth.

D9 XTC
Messages
30
Reaction score
0
OK, so let's say there was a ring around Earth (imagine the video game Halo). Extending from the Earth are huge cables that greet the ring (space elevator). This ring surrounding Earth would have magnets lining the entire structure. The cables would have wire wrapped end to end so that was the Earth rotates it passes the wire through the magnetic field of the ring. Pretty much it's a huge planet sized generator.

Would this eventually cause the Earth to stop spinning?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
No. The ring itself would begin rotating and eventually match the speed of the earth.

The Earth would slow down ever so slightly though.
 
Ah both are bad.
 
Both are bad? Both what?
 
I'm guessing if the Earth slows down that might throw off a lot of the world's natural rhythms and if the ring spun that would ruin the idea of making a giant generator.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
10
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 39 ·
2
Replies
39
Views
8K