Earth's Spin & Moon: Impact on Rotation

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In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of torque and its effects on a motor and the Earth's spin. It is noted that while a motor can recover its initial speed when a resisting torque is removed, the Earth cannot due to its lack of an external power source.
  • #1
termina
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Hello there!

When a motor is turning, if one applies a resisting torque on the rotor,
the latter would brake, but then if one remove the torque,
the motor recovers its initial speed.

Is the same with Earth's spin and Moon's resisting torque on it (due to tidal effect)?
ie: if, one day, the aforementioned torque is put off, would our planet recover its initial spin rate?
 
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  • #2
termina said:
Hello there!

When a motor is turning, if one applies a resisting torque on the rotor,
the latter would brake, but then if one remove the torque,
the motor recovers its initial speed.

Is the same with Earth's spin and Moon's resisting torque on it (due to tidal effect)?
ie: if, one day, the aforementioned torque is put off, would our planet recover its initial spin rate?

No. The motor is driven from an outside power source which supplies the energy needed to bring the motor up to speed. The Earth's spin is just due to its own inertia and there is no power source to speed it up again.
 

1. How does the moon affect the Earth's rotation?

The moon's gravitational pull on the Earth creates tidal forces, which slightly deform the Earth's shape. This causes a slight bulge on the side of the Earth facing the moon, and a corresponding bulge on the opposite side. As the Earth rotates, these bulges move around the planet, causing the rotation to slow down slightly over time.

2. What would happen if the Earth stopped spinning?

If the Earth suddenly stopped spinning, the side facing the sun would experience continuous daylight, while the other side would experience constant darkness. This would lead to extreme temperature differences and likely disrupt ecosystems. The lack of rotation would also affect the Earth's magnetic field, which protects us from harmful solar radiation.

3. How long does it take for the Earth to complete one full rotation?

The Earth's rotation period, or the time it takes for one full rotation, is approximately 24 hours or one day. However, due to the Earth's orbit around the sun, it takes approximately 23 hours and 56 minutes for the Earth to rotate once with respect to the stars, known as a sidereal day.

4. Can the Earth's rotation change over time?

Yes, the Earth's rotation can change over time due to various factors such as the moon's gravitational pull, tectonic plate movement, and changes in the Earth's internal structure. These changes are very gradual and may not be noticeable in a human lifetime.

5. How does the Earth's spin affect our daily lives?

The Earth's spin has a significant impact on our daily lives. It creates day and night, affects the Earth's climate and weather patterns, and is essential for maintaining the Earth's magnetic field. It also determines the length of our days and the seasons we experience due to the tilt of the Earth's axis.

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