The Fascinating Possibility of Reversed Earth Rotation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the hypothetical scenario of the Earth stopping its rotation or rotating in the opposite direction. Participants consider the potential physical consequences of such events, including environmental and atmospheric changes, as well as the implications for physics itself.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that if the Earth stopped suddenly, it could lead to catastrophic events like earthquakes and tidal waves due to the high surface speed at the equator.
  • Others propose that a prolonged period of being stopped would result in extreme temperature differences between the "bright" and "dark" sides of the Earth, leading to constant storms.
  • One participant humorously claims that fish would fly through the air if the Earth rotated in the opposite direction, dismissing the question as nonsensical.
  • Another participant questions the relevance of the direction of rotation, asking what difference it would make in terms of east-west motion.
  • Concerns are raised about the effects of temperature differentials on air density and weight, with one participant noting that the normal force experienced by individuals would decrease due to the Earth's rotation.
  • There is a challenge regarding the origin of the "unusually high temperature" and "low temperature" at the ends of the Earth, questioning the assumptions made in the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of opinions, with some engaging in serious speculation about the consequences of reversed rotation while others view the question as nonsensical. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing views present.

Contextual Notes

Participants rely on various assumptions about physics and the nature of the Earth’s rotation, but these assumptions are not universally accepted or clarified, leading to potential misunderstandings.

ashishsinghal
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What would happen if the Earth stopped rotating or rotated in the opposite direction?
This question has amused me for quite some time and I wanted to share this with you guys...
 
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Depends on how fast it "stopped" and how long it stayed "stopped". Around the equator the surface speed due to rotation is ~1000mph. If it stopped suddenly enough, earthquakes and tidal waves would pretty much wipe things clean. After some period of time "being stopped", the "bright side" of the world would become extremely hot, and the "dark side" would get extremely cold. Enormous storms would rage pretty much constantly. I am sure there are other "negative impact" results...

Fish
 
ashishsinghal said:
What would happen if the Earth stopped rotating or rotated in the opposite direction?
This question has amused me for quite some time and I wanted to share this with you guys...
Fish will fly through the air, upside down.

This is a nonsense question, so all you will get are nonsense answers like the one I just gave. You are essentially asking "what do the laws of physics say will happen after the laws of physics magically stop working".
 
If it is nonsense to you do not comment on it.
 
rotated in the opposite direction?

Stand at the North Pole, then stand at the South Pole.

Does the Earth seem to be rotating in the opposite direction? :bugeye:
 
Tyrannical said:
Does the Earth seem to be rotating in the opposite direction? :bugeye:

Are you talking about Right-Left. What difference would it make in East-West directions.

Also my question was that if the direction of spin reverses keeping the observer at the same position.
You may also consider the question this way.
Which things depend upon west to east motion of earth.
One is the motion of waves and currents. What else
 
The unusually high temperature at one end and low at the other will cause great storms and also the air density will be affected. Also a bit of our weight will decrease. By weight I mean the normal force from ground.
 
ashishsinghal said:
The unusually high temperature at one end and low at the other will cause great storms and also the air density will be affected.
Anything can happen if the laws of physics suddenly stop working. However, from whence did this "unusually high temperature at one end and low at the other" originate, and what
are these "ends" of the Earth?

Also a bit of our weight will decrease. By weight I mean the normal force from ground.
That the Earth is spinning means our scale weight is slightly smaller in magnitude than is the gravitational force.


With that, thread locked. Please read our rules on personal theories.
 

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