If they (whoever 'they' are) were to build a solid platform above the ground, but all the way around the world in one solid ring, would it float? Would the gravity of Earth keep it from pulling or pushing in a particular direction or would it crash to the ground? For it to work, would it have to be directly above the equator of Earth, or could it go at 90 degrees to the equator, ie from North pole to South pole? How would it affect Earth (gravity, magnetics, weather, mankind)?
Forget about the actual physicality of building it (I had it in my mind that there would be pillars at regular intervals during it's construction which would be demolished simultaniously at the point of 'launch'), or its uses (an equator road, runway, trainline, channel for water, science, massive spinning electricity generator, etc). Would it work?
Just a weird thought, but interested all the same.
2006-07-04 12:43:55 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
hmmmm....
considering earthquakes, landslides and other natural occurances, that would be impossible to answer.
2006-07-04 12:48:13 · answer #1 · answered by yadedyah_dc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe I have too much time on my hands but here's what I think. Assuming it is possible. If it were supported during construction and built large enough to clear all of the Earths terrains, I'd say it could work. If it were built to be a large ring the weight would be evenly distributed around the ring. Being that large and independent of the Earth I would say that it wouldn't matter where it was built. i.e. it would rotate independent of the Earth. Now if any one section of this ring were to fail then the whole thing would fail and crash to the ground. The destruction would be mind-blowing. As to it's effects. I'd be more conserned about how gravitly would effect it. As large as it would need to be would probably put it in the upper atmosphere (it would almost be easier to build it in space, free from most of Earths gravity). Now everything we do has an effect on the weather. So this would change wind patterns, block some amount of sun. Just like planting large amounts of corn and soybeans in the midwest raises humidity levels, and large steel and glass cities can raise temperature in Urban centers, or Forest Fires create there own winds...this structure would chance some weather patterns for sure. So in short it could work, but it would take a lot of time, money and expertise. Now it space colonies were the idea, a large ring built in space would be more likely, and would need some stabilization but in the end would probably be more likely.
2006-07-04 20:07:49 · answer #2 · answered by Charlie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's interesting. I think theoretically, yes. But practically, no.
Even assuming you could make a platform of that size totally rigid, and of exactly even mass throughout (both of which sound impractical), I suspect the center of gravity of the Earth is not in the exact geometric center of the Earth, so things would be off. (And that's ignoring mountains.)
Plus, it would be real precarious. Even if you could get it balanced just right, if it moved the slightest fraction of a millimeter (from wind or whatever), you would have a situation where one side was closer to the center of gravity of the Earth than the side on the other side of the world. Gravity would pull more strongly on the closer side, which would cause the whole structure to move even more and then crash, leaving the platform dangling on the Earth like an oversize ring on a thin finger.
I think.
2006-07-04 19:57:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If this fantasy road was breakable then I figure it would crash down in sections all around the world. If unbreakable then gravity would surely pull it in at the point it was closest to the earth and as it got closer on that side then it would be getting further away on the opposite side therefore reducing gravity's effect on that bit.
2006-07-04 19:50:21 · answer #4 · answered by Thinker 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
absolutely fascinating idea , the platform would have to be above the atmosphere , because the air in our atmosphere would tier anything that we have the technology at this time to build apart and in space , what a cost and the amount of technology to do it is hundreds of years beyond us , amazing idea theoretically in space it could work and it would float just like a satellite floats or the rocks and dust around Saturn (the rings)
2006-07-04 20:01:26 · answer #5 · answered by wise one 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes i think it would float if the materials used to make it were strong enough to hold it together. It would then overcome the gravitaional stresses pulling it toward the surface. I think it would be impossible though because of the rotation of the earth and its movement around the sun. Seems it would take an enormously strong material.
2006-07-04 19:55:53 · answer #6 · answered by david748us 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it was not built in space (as suggested by some) and made of a non-breakable material I think it would roll around the earth like a hula hoop on a fat mans belly ;-)
2006-07-04 20:57:26 · answer #7 · answered by genomerone 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not at the altitude you seem to have in mind. You could build one in orbit around the Earth.
It has been suggested that a sphere be built around the sun as it ages. See "Dyson Sphere."
2006-07-04 19:52:03 · answer #8 · answered by thylawyer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The World Highway is almost finished and I know many people who say that alone 'floats' as a bad idea.
2006-07-04 19:48:25 · answer #9 · answered by tonyintoronto@rogers.com 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It couldn't come in toward earth unless it broke because if it's solid, then it can't get smaller, which it would have to get.
2006-07-04 19:50:56 · answer #10 · answered by Kat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is an interesting idea that. What if it was spinning? I am no physisist (?) but surely that would help, centrfugal force and all that.
2006-07-05 04:31:18 · answer #11 · answered by mike_ra_swanson 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋