[Q] Gravity in prehistoric times

[paigetheoracle]

Is there any evidence to show if gravity was less or more stronger at the times of the dinosaurs than now or was it virtually the same?

[modest]

While there are theories that propose the gravitational constant is variable over time, it is not the accepted position and there is no evidence to support the notion. As far as we know, gravity has had the same local strength over time.

 

As far as gravity on the earth, the moon used to be a lot closer to it making for some very, very, high tides in earth's early history.

 

~modest

[Moontanman]

There is no evidence that gravity was any different during the time of the dinosaurs than it is now, both the size of the animals and their bones are within what would be expected by gravity that is the same as now.

[paigetheoracle]

There is no evidence that gravity was any different during the time of the dinosaurs than it is now, both the size of the animals and their bones are within what would be expected by gravity that is the same as now.

 

Oh well, that's that then! Just a thought based on land mammal size, then and now.

[Boerseun]

Gravity was lower back then, because the Earth has been steadily gaining mass from the tiny pitter-patter of impactors that we see as "falling stars".

 

But the amount by which Earth's gravity have increased since the time of the dinosaurs because of this constant rain of space dust is so minuscule that you might as well ignore it.

 

For Earth to have gained any meaningful mass since the dinos, it would require massive impactors that would certainly have left some signs of their arrival. Even the one that reputedly wiped out the dinosaurs was too small to make any noticeable change. So I would say that the Earth's gravity is the same as back then, to the tune of 99.9% accuracy.