2007-09-06 11:48:40 · 7 answers · asked by Brett B 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
I'm not sure. I'd have to review the plans for such a machine :-)
2007-09-06 16:06:45 · answer #1 · answered by Dr. R 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
using the general forms of the equations for kinetic energy of a rotating sphere, the earth's kinetic energy due to rotation is
T = 1/2 I omega squared
= 1/2 [2/5 mass Rsquared] omega squared
mass = 5974200000000000000000000 kg
radius = 6378100 m
omega = 2pi radians / 24hr = [0.000072722] rad/sec
so
[1/2] [2/5] [5.9742x10^24] [6.378x10^6] [6.378x10^6] [7.2722x10^-5] [7.2722x10^-5]
which equals about 5.530x10^35 (or 5530 with another 32 zeros after) with units of kg m /sec squared.
one megaton as used to describe a nuclear weapon is 4.15x10^15 joules. so slowing the earth to a stop would take about 133 billion billion megatons.
who can say if humans could ever harness that much energy, but from this point of view it is highly unlikely.
2007-09-06 20:32:19 · answer #2 · answered by Piglet O 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No there aren't enough resources in the world to be able to harness the energy that is required to stop it.
Unless we figure out how to control gravity somehow.
2007-09-06 18:52:09 · answer #3 · answered by frozenlint 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Right now? No
In the future? Possibly but unlikely
Doing so would easily destroy the world.
2007-09-06 18:57:24 · answer #4 · answered by Eric M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best motivation for getting someone to do something is; to tell them they can't.
2007-09-07 01:44:10 · answer #5 · answered by DugM 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am pretty sure that know one knows the correct answer to this question.
2007-09-06 19:06:20 · answer #6 · answered by Andrew O 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ask god
2007-09-06 18:55:10 · answer #7 · answered by yahweh550 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋