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enotstrebor
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If the gravitational constant suddenly changed, would the Earth change its orbital radius r' such that the new G'M'/r'^2 equals todays GM/r^2. If not how?
Vanadium 50 said:There is no way to answer the question "if I dispense with the laws of physics, what do the laws of physics say will happen."
The orbital effect of a sudden change to G is the change in the gravitational force exerted by a celestial body, such as a planet or star, on an orbiting object. This change can alter the orbit of the object, affecting its speed, distance, and trajectory.
If the value of G decreases, the planet's orbit will become more elliptical, meaning it will be less circular and more elongated. This can cause the planet to move closer to and farther away from the sun, resulting in a change in its orbital speed and duration.
Yes, a sudden change to G can potentially cause a planet to be ejected from its orbit if the change is significant enough. This is because the gravitational force determines the strength of the bond between a planet and its star, and a decrease in G can weaken this bond, allowing the planet to escape its orbit.
The mass of a planet does not directly impact the orbital effect of a sudden change to G. However, a planet with a larger mass will experience a greater change in its orbit due to the sudden change in G compared to a smaller planet.
Yes, in theory, the orbital effect of a sudden change to G can be reversed if G returns to its original value. However, this would require a major shift in the laws of physics and is currently not possible with our current understanding of the universe.