What would happen if earth stopped rotating on its own axis?
If the Earth stopped spinning suddenly, the atmosphere would still be in motion with the Earth's original 1100 mile per hour rotation speed at the equator. All of the land masses would be scoured clean of anything not attached to bedrock.
This question is part of UPSC exam. View all Class 10 courses
What would happen if earth stopped rotating on its own axis?
Tsunamis : This spinning energy of earth when stopped must go somewhere, meaning the momentum would push ocean beds to give birth to tsunamis
Earth rotates on its axis from west towards east at about 1675 km/hr. If this suddenly somehow stopped, then everything on Earth that isn’t tied well to the ground will go flying eastward
there would be no nights on the one side and no morning on the other
Earth would be significantly hotter and cooler than it’s peer planets, as they will be rotating and dissipating heat and cold, managing their temperature.
The oceans would gradually move to the poles, creating a giant continent at the equator
The centrifugal force of Earth would create a bulge at the equator, making equatorial mountains, the largest in the world. Over time, the bulge would slightly and slowly flatten, turning mountains to valleys and valleys to mountains, back and forth, until it is all flat at the equator
Also magnetic field will fade away
What would happen if earth stopped rotating on its own axis?
Consequences of Earth Stopping its Rotation
- Day and Night Cycle: If Earth were to suddenly stop rotating on its axis, the day and night cycle as we know it would be drastically altered. One side of the planet would constantly face the Sun, experiencing perpetual daylight, while the other side would be in perpetual darkness.
- Extreme Temperature Changes: The side of the Earth facing the Sun would experience scorching temperatures, leading to extreme heat and potential desertification. Conversely, the dark side would become freezing cold, with plummeting temperatures causing ice caps to expand.
- Weather Patterns: The sudden halt in rotation would disrupt global weather patterns, leading to severe storms, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. The lack of rotation would also impact the formation of ocean currents, further exacerbating the climate chaos.
- Gravity and Tides: Earth's rotation plays a crucial role in creating the planet's gravity and tides. If the rotation were to cease, the gravitational forces holding everything in place would be altered, potentially leading to catastrophic consequences for life on Earth.
- Geological Activity: The sudden stop in Earth's rotation could trigger massive earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions as the planet's crust adjusts to the new conditions. This geological upheaval would further destabilize the planet's ecosystems and infrastructure.
In conclusion, if Earth were to stop rotating on its axis, the consequences would be catastrophic, with profound impacts on the planet's climate, weather, gravity, and geological activity. It is essential to appreciate the delicate balance that Earth's rotation maintains and the critical role it plays in sustaining life on our planet.
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed Class 10 study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in Class 10.