What if the earth suddenly stopped spinning?

Current astronomical models describe the formation of planets from rotating disk disks. This rotational motion is then transmitted to the generating protoplanet by preserving the angular velocity. So all the planets have to rotate, and the earth is no exception. But, what if our planet suddenly stopped spinning?

If rotation stopped, the angular momentum of every object on Earth would tear its surface, which would be a disaster. However, James Symbolman, a geologist Smithsonian’s National Aeronautics and Space Museum, There is no natural force that prevents the earth from rotating. This is why our planet has been spinning since its inception.

Every 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4.09053 seconds the earth rotates completely on its axis. As a result, it is moving at 1,770 km / h and the speed of rotation is reduced to zero at the poles, says Zimmelman. If the planet comes to a sudden stop, the angular momentum that propagates through the equator to air, water and even rocks will move at this speed of 1,770 km per hour. The motion will tear the surface and send the particles to the upper parts of the atmosphere and space.

Linear momentum is the product of the mass of an object and its velocity (direction and velocity). A passenger in a moving car coming to a sudden stop will continue to advance at linear speeds. Angular momentum is the rotational analog of linear velocity. It is the moment of inertia (the rotational force required to rotate the mass) and the angular velocity. One of the basic principles of physics is to preserve angular velocity. When something turns, the same force must be applied in the opposite direction.

A chaotic situation for the earth

According to Zimmelman, as the Earth and its remnants continue their orbit around the Sun, the fragments that break the surface will rotate slightly again. Eventually, the planet’s gravitational pull will bring back the halo of the fragments with unexpected effect. “ What Isaac Newton helped us to understand classical mechanics is that the parts that accumulate and release release their own energy in the form of heat. », Indic Gimbleman.

The remnants that end up in the distances of the atmosphere and space are attracted to the surface by the gravitational force of the planet, and they release energy on impact. The continuous bombardment of these tumors liquefies the crust in the ocean of molten rocks, Zimmelman explains. Eventually, the collided pieces are reabsorbed into the molten sea by a process called aggregation.

The rapid and destructive change evaporates most of the water on the planet’s surface. Most of this evaporated water is wasted, and some can be incorporated into freshly solidified minerals such as olive. Finally, not all pieces are reabsorbed by aggregation. The Moon’s gravitational pull will blow away some planetary particles, bombing a nearby satellite and creating countless craters on its surface.