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Mr_GTR
Worn
Joined: Oct 04, 2006
Posts: 1,023
Location: Upper Hutt-ville
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 Posted: Tue 1st Jul 4:59pm Post subject: If The Earth Stopped Spinning ... |
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Today during physics class, I was in my own dream world, and I stumbled across a thought. If the world stopped spinning on axis, would we all suddenly be overcome by 1440km/hr winds?
My reasoning: As we speak, the earth is rotating on axis, with the equator moving at about 400 m/s (400 x 3.6 = 1440 km/hr). However, the atmosphere spins along with the earth, and so if the earth stopped in an instant, would the atmosphere's momentum keep it spinning, thus moving past us at 1440 km/hr (at least initially)?
I dunno. What do you guys think?
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tartgrandmother
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Joined: Jan 20, 2007
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Location: Papakura
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| Posted: Tue 1st Jul 5:01pm Post subject: |
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i think that some places would be very very dark for a very very long time
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ratrod
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Joined: Feb 09, 2007
Posts: 3,185
Location: In the 'Tron.
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| Posted: Tue 1st Jul 5:01pm Post subject: |
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Spinning what's this spinning you speak of. Spinning implies that the earth is round. Which it is not!
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Spokes
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Joined: Nov 13, 2005
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Location: Loving LA
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| Posted: Tue 1st Jul 5:02pm Post subject: |
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The atmosphere would not exist as there would be no gravity to hold it. Which may also screw up Skys coverage of the Tour.
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Oli
Mangled
Joined: Aug 03, 2005
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| Posted: Tue 1st Jul 5:04pm Post subject: |
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It's not the Earth's rotation that causes gravity - it's the Earth's mass.
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Mr_GTR
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Joined: Oct 04, 2006
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Location: Upper Hutt-ville
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| Posted: Tue 1st Jul 5:04pm Post subject: |
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Huh, and I just realised ... *IF* there was some huge gigantic wind, the earth would heat up in an instant due to the friction of the air on the earth.
Cool.
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MattV
Chill'n down with the fire gang
Joined: May 29, 2005
Posts: 9,560
Location: New Plymouth
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| Posted: Tue 1st Jul 5:08pm Post subject: |
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I'd better start building my wind generator to cash in
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Spokes
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Location: Loving LA
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| Posted: Tue 1st Jul 5:08pm Post subject: |
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| Oli wrote: | | It's not the Earth's rotation that causes gravity - it's the Earth's mass. |
Then why dont us big boys have gravity? 
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Mr_GTR
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Posts: 1,023
Location: Upper Hutt-ville
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| Posted: Tue 1st Jul 5:11pm Post subject: |
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| Oli wrote: | | It's not the Earth's rotation that causes gravity - it's the Earth's mass. |
Im aware of that, but thats irrelevant in this case. Im talking about the atmosphere's momentum/friction with the earth ...
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Dazzle
Mangled
Joined: Feb 11, 2002
Posts: 12,968
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| Posted: Tue 1st Jul 5:12pm Post subject: |
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Grab the earths hand brake, and lets find out.
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pulsar
I'm the moon!
Joined: Sep 01, 2005
Posts: 2,103
Location: Hurtling towards a tree...
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| Posted: Tue 1st Jul 5:13pm Post subject: |
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I demand side curtain air bags!!!!! 
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dh_winner
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Joined: Feb 25, 2003
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| Posted: Tue 1st Jul 5:13pm Post subject: |
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i believe you would be ringt. It would have to be one mutherkcufer of a force to stop the world spinning though!
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Mr_GTR
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Joined: Oct 04, 2006
Posts: 1,023
Location: Upper Hutt-ville
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| Posted: Tue 1st Jul 5:13pm Post subject: |
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| Spokes wrote: | | Oli wrote: | | It's not the Earth's rotation that causes gravity - it's the Earth's mass. |
Then why dont us big boys have gravity? |
Well, to be hoenst you do. We all do. Its just si insignificant that you can't feel it.
Aparently in space, where there is no interfering gravity, you can send a pen into orbit around yourself. How cool is that?
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phunk
Mangled
Joined: Feb 28, 2004
Posts: 12,031
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| Posted: Tue 1st Jul 5:14pm Post subject: |
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 define the earth
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Mr_GTR
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Posts: 1,023
Location: Upper Hutt-ville
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| Posted: Tue 1st Jul 5:16pm Post subject: |
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| dh_winner wrote: | | i believe you would be ringt. It would have to be one mutherkcufer of a force to stop the world spinning though! |
Isnt that why codes were invented? 
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