2006-09-22 01:49:39 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
I think it's actually getting lighter - there's more junk sent into space than falls out of it
2006-09-22 01:51:55 · answer #1 · answered by Walter W. Krijthe 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The weight of an object is due to the effect of gravity on its mass. The only way the earth can get more mass is by particles etc from space, so we must ignore that. The way it can get more weight with the same mass is by going closer to a gravitational source. The most important gravitational object near the earth is the sun. The earth has an elliptical orbit, so twice a year it is further from the sun, and therefore lighter , and twice a year it is closer and therefore heavier.
The Earth reaches perihelion - the point in its orbit closest to the Sun - in early January. So this is when it is heaviest. It is an annual event.
2006-09-22 03:23:47 · answer #2 · answered by hi_patia 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know you said exclude particles from space but cosmic material from dust particle and larger (comets, etc) are falling into the atmosphere and reaching earth on a daily basis. Even excluding the dust, I think it probably is getting heavier.
However, we're sending enough satellites, etc into space at the moment to perhaps balance that out a bit.
2006-09-22 02:02:12 · answer #3 · answered by andrew w 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless space particles fall on to Earth, It stays the same weight.
2006-09-22 02:02:02 · answer #4 · answered by Eddy G 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Matter from space is the only source of change in the mass of the earth. That may amount to many tons a year.
2006-09-22 05:44:35 · answer #5 · answered by PaulCyp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when it is closer to thesun it is heavier than when it is father from the sun because the sun hads a gravitaitional pull and the closer you are to the center of an object the harder the gravitational pull is
2006-09-22 01:53:04 · answer #6 · answered by John Steigns 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. It doesn't change. Because it is weightless. It is in orbit around the sun like an astronaut in orbit of earth and become weightless.
2006-09-22 04:17:56 · answer #7 · answered by Dr M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the world itself is a collection of particles. so there will be nothing to be measured without particles.
2006-09-22 02:02:38 · answer #8 · answered by Abel M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no,if you're talking about a sealed system ( which your comment in brackets suggests ).
There is a finite number of atoms in a sealed system. They may move around a bit, get married, have kids, get divorced etc, but its the same number.
p.s. Thanks to Tammy Wynette I was able to spell divorce !
2006-09-22 02:05:57 · answer #9 · answered by Michael H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO , it gets lighter , because atomic power plants they turn the atoms of Uranium to energy which can not return back to matter.
2006-09-24 12:53:32 · answer #10 · answered by rastgoo_2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋