2006-06-13 06:50:08 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Earth is rotating at a speed of about 1100 miles per hour. If our planet suddenly stopped rotating, the atmosphere would still be in motion at that speed. The atmosphere would be moving so fast it would literally sweep the land masses clear of anything not anchored to bedrock, this would mean rocks, soil, trees, buildings, people and animals. All would be swept up into the atmosphere.
But what if the Earth slowly stopped rotating completely? In that case, one half the Earth would be in daylight for half the year while the other side would be in darkness. The second half of the year it would be reversed. Temperature variations would be far more extreme then they are now. The temperature gradient would affect the wind circulation also. Air would move from the equator to the poles rather then in wind systems parallel to the equator as they are now.
There would be other effects of the Earth's rotation slowing also. The magnetic field of the Earth is generated by a dynamo effect that involves its rotation. If the Earth stopped rotating, the magnetic field would no longer be regenerated and it would decay away to some low, residual value due to the very small component which is 'fossilized' in its iron-rich rocks. There would be no more 'northern lights' and the Van Allen radiation belts would probably vanish, as would our protection from cosmic rays and other high-energy particles. Losing this protection would cause serious health issues.
2006-06-13 06:59:03 · answer #1 · answered by Shep 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes just as a car that would stop suddenly inertia would keep you moving in the same direction the car was going. At the equator the earth spins at about 1000 miles per hour so if the earth stopped suddenly you would get thrown into the nearest object at that speed. At the poles you wouldn't even notice the earth stopped until you realized the sun was not moving. It has nothing to with gravity. Gravity is based on the mass of the earth not it's rate of spin.
2006-06-13 14:02:34 · answer #2 · answered by Homeless in Phoenix 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd be more inclined to go with the idea that inertial gravity would mash us all into paste.
2006-06-13 13:56:01 · answer #3 · answered by puffdoggydaddy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not if we are leaning against something in the direction it was spinning.
2006-06-13 13:58:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wait and see
2006-06-13 13:55:34 · answer #5 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No gravity dosn't work like that.
2006-06-13 13:55:18 · answer #6 · answered by dragon8p 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋