A sudden change in the gravitational constant (G) would affect Earth's orbital radius, requiring a new radius (r') to maintain the balance of gravitational forces, expressed as G'M'/r'^2 equaling GM/r^2. The discussion emphasizes that one cannot disregard the laws of physics to predict outcomes, as doing so undermines the framework of scientific inquiry. An example is presented where an asteroid, significantly smaller than the sun, merges with the sun without disturbing Earth's orbit, raising questions about the gravitational effects of such a mass change. The conversation highlights that even negligible mass changes would still influence Earth's orbit, challenging the notion of a temporary absence of gravitational influence. Ultimately, the complexities of gravitational interactions must be considered to understand any potential orbital changes.
