If the earth stopped spinning.......would we all die?

[Tormod]

UAlso if the Dynamo theory of the earth applies, we have to contend without a Magnetic shield to deflect the majority of Cosmic radiation.

 

Look to Venus. The rotation is so slow that a day on Venus is longer than the year. Add that to the vast cloud systems and heat traps which creates an average surface temperature of some 477 degrees Celsius - and no magnetic field to speak of.

 

If the Earth suddenly stopped spinning, I don't think we'd die from heat or cold, but from earthquakes and general mayhem.

[Lancaster]

In what way is it strangely perfect?

 

Because if it was any other way, the Earth might not be able to sustain life at all.

[InfiniteNow]

It's basic physics. If the earth stops, we keep moving: due to Sir Isaac Newton's First Law of Motion. This is because we are not actually attached to the earth.

Therefore, the G-forces acting upon us would kill us instantly.

:)

 

Okay, you brought up Newton, so I'll take that approach.

 

His equations say that gravity is proportional to mass. So you're saying that if the Earth stops spinning it will also lose all of it's mass and hence the gravity associated with said mass? That's just wrong.

 

EDIT: Newton's first law applies to an object in motion, unless acted upon by another force. As mentioned above, gravity from mass is still there.[/E]

 

According to Einstein, uniform acceleration is indistinguishable from gravity, so in that respect, if acceleration stopped, gravity would be DECREASED, not increased as you propose.

 

Also, who says that 8G (even though downward force we call gravity would be decreased) would kill someone instantly? Even if you fell into a black hole where gravity is enormous, it would still take some amount of time for you to die due to tidal forces (or, more appropriately, the stretch and pull resulting from the difference in tidal forces at your head and feet).

 

Please understand, I'm not attacking you, only the incorrect assumptions you have made in this thread. :beer:

[TheBigDog]

What about people in planes when the earth jerks to a stop. They would feel no inertial effect of the earth stopping.

 

Bill

[Tormod]

Because if it was any other way, the Earth might not be able to sustain life at all.

 

This is a completely non-scientific statement. We know that the Earth HAS had a vastly different biosphere than today, and it did sustain life. The rotational period has been different (shorter days), the mean temperature has been very different, the energy output from the sun has varied, the atmosphere constitution has changed over time. I'd say this proves that Earth can sustain life in an almost endless variety of combinations.

[Tormod]

What about people in planes when the earth jerks to a stop. They would feel no inertial effect of the earth stopping.

 

But surely their beer would taste different.

 

Oh, you mean planes *in the air*. :)

[Lancaster]

This is a completely non-scientific statement. We know that the Earth HAS had a vastly different biosphere than today, and it did sustain life. The rotational period has been different (shorter days), the mean temperature has been very different, the energy output from the sun has varied, the atmosphere constitution has changed over time. I'd say this proves that Earth can sustain life in an almost endless variety of combinations.

 

I apologize for making an incorrect, non-scientific statement.

 

I was wrong.

[InfiniteNow]

I apologize for making an incorrect, non-scientific statement.

 

I was wrong.

Your post count would quadruple if you did this each time it was the case... :)

[Lord Hakk]

umm... that obviously would be the case EXEPT i had said if the earth stopped spinning SLOWLY, like as slow as contenets move or somthing, no as if a giant hand grabbed hold of the earth and stoped it from spinning.

[HydrogenBond]

If the earth stopped spinning slowly, one night-day cycle would last a year at a time. If one side always faced the sun we would rotate once a year. Would the earth still wobble on its axis or would that stop too? It it continues to wobble that may help to balance out the weather. Things would be stressed out until the plants get used to the new seasons.

[Drip Curl Magic]

hmmm... so, I'm thinking... that it would all depend on if we could evolve fast enough to adapt to the change.

 

If it slowed for a year before it completely stopped... that'd still be such a fast change. and I doubt many if not any creatures could survive such rapid climate changes(resulting from the lack of spin).

 

I mean... maybe... but highly unlikely.

 

slow or fast.... we'd either have to evolve super fast or just die.

[Turtle]

Ummm... there are some issues with this, in regards to survivability. For instance Heating, and Cooling, Freezing. Imagine vast ice fields for months, and each "day" the dark side gets a little bit cooler, as the Light side becomes a scorching Desert and the ocean on this side boils from extended exposure to solar radiation. Also if the Dynamo theory of the earth applies, we have to contend without a Magnetic shield to deflect the majority of Cosmic radiation.

 

First, the bolded statement is patently false; it is Earth's atmosphere that protects us from cosmic radiation. (see this thread: http://hypography.com/forums/earth-science/2966-switching-poles.html )

Given the extremes of temperature, I (& any surviving life) will adapt to following the great-circle terminator where we will continue consuming one-another as do we now.

[IDMclean]

I wasn't saying we wouldn't have protection, only that we wouldn't have a magnetic shield. IF Dynamo Theory is wrong.

 

In the case of the Earth, the magnetic field is believed to be caused by the convection of molten iron and nickel, within the outer planetary core, along with Coriolis effect caused by the overall planetary rotation. When conducting fluid flows across an existing magnetic field, electric currents are induced, creating another magnetic field. When this magnetic field reinforces the original magnetic field, a dynamo is created which sustains itself. Similar magnetic fields are present in many celestial bodies including most stars such as the Sun (which contain conducting plasma) and active galactic nuclei.

 

Perhaps mine is a misunderstanding, perhaps it is not. I truely do not know, nor at this moment do I care. When I am better rested perhaps I will deal properly with such a problem.

 

However for now, I will stick by my assertion that if the earth stopped moving, stopped rotation, it would cease to be a dynamo and would cease to have a magnetic field. What the consequences for this would be I can only guess as I do not have the super computer to calculate such a tremendous problem. I can barely predict the weather without insturmentation.

 

I personally do not give credit to the Dynamo theory of Earth's Magnetosphere. I do give credit to the Ionosphere and Mesosphere for it's protection of the surface from radiation.

[Turtle]

I wasn't saying we wouldn't have protection, only that we wouldn't have a magnetic shield. IF Dynamo Theory is wrong.

In this context 'shield' implies protection.:cup:

 

 

However for now, I will stick by my assertion that if the earth stopped moving, stopped rotation, it would cease to be a dynamo and would cease to have a magnetic field. ...

I personally do not give credit to the Dynamo theory of Earth's Magnetosphere. I do give credit to the Ionosphere and Mesosphere for it's protection of the surface from radiation.

 

Covering all the bases eh (contradictions notwithstanding).:)

[IDMclean]

do not give credit to the Dynamo theory

 

do not give credit to the Dynamo theory of Earth's Magnetosphere

 

I never said I did not contradict myself, however in this context I am not saying I simply don't believe in Dynamo theory. I am saying I don't believe in Planetary Dynamo Theory.

 

However. Going from the perspective of PDT being correct, if the earth stopped it's rotations, it would no longer regenerate it's magnetic field and the Shield (not full protection, as the very thread you pointed me to points out) which is supplied by such would not continue. I can't say what effects that would have but I figure it would be different at the least.

 

I am aware of the difference of deterents that arise from the Magnetosphere and the Ionosphere. I am Aware that the earth's Atmosphere is multilayered and provides the main stay of protection from outside agents. I also understood previously that EM is not blocked by the Magnetosphere, but instead by the Ionosphere.

 

I did infact make sure to keep the accuracy of language and say Cosmic Radiation, as in Charged Protons and other such creatures which are caught in the Van Allen radiation belt.

 

I am a student of the teachings of the presigious Mr. Tesla. I have studied his work and he is my greatest idol in the world of science. His Idea for Freepower from the Ionosphere was simply inspired. Though I am unsure of the consequences such a thing would have had.

[Turtle]

I never said I did not contradict myself, ...

 

I am a student of the teachings of the presigious Mr. Tesla. I have studied his work and he is my greatest idol in the world of science. His Idea for Freepower from the Ionosphere was simply inspired. Though I am unsure of the consequences such a thing would have had.

 

:cup: No self respecting clown is not contradictory; it is the very archetype of clownhood in the Native American context.

:) Here's another thread you might enjoy here at Hypography on the atmosphere & its electric effects in relation to terra firma:

http://hypography.com/forums/physics-mathematics/605-piezoelectric-earth.html

[ronthepon]

It just goes to show how strangely perfect the natural cycle of our planet is.

Anthropic principle.