If a billion rocket engines are stuck into the ground on one side of Earth and fired, would Earth speed up?

Answer 1

Not in any lasting sense, not unless the rocket's exhaust moved fast enough to escape gravity at the altitude it is fired. Otherwise the exhaust "falls back" and the planet's momentum doesn't change permanently.

Normal, chemical rocket exhaust does not exceed the Earth's surface escape velocity...and definitely doesn't have enough energy to punch through the atmosphere.

Answer 2

Theoretically you could change its velocity not necessarily speed it up, especially earth is rotating.If you turn your rockets off at exactly one earth rotation then the difference would only be that the rockets are getting lighter through time.The problem is where will you get that much matter to fuel your rockets.

Answer 3

Unlikely...that's a LOT ot terratonnage you're talking about!

However, it would likely kill everying for hundreds of klicks as the heat cooked-off the rockets, spewing the propellant in all directions, causing a massive nigh-self perpetuating fireball. Could even blow 20% or more of the atmosphere out into space!

Answer 4

I doubt it. It would take more than a billion to accelerat the mass of the earth.

Answer 5

Eight attempts and only Ethan gets it right. Sad.

Answer 6

Even if it were angled right, what would it do to the atmosphere?

Aikes!

I wonder what the math on that one would be?

Answer 7

what kind of engines? model rocket?

Answer 8

Good bye earth. We are off our axis.

Answer 9

If its the right time of day, it might slow down.