As I mentioned in an earlier post, the earth’s rotation is slowing.
So I have some questions.
1. As the earth rotates, don’t we, just a bit, sort of want to fly off the face of the earth in a straight line heading east (or what’s called East on earth)?
That is, our inertia would have us flying of the planet if it weren’t for gravity keeping us here. Isn’t that right?
2. As the rotation slows, then the inertia isn’t as powerful, right? But gravity remains the same?
If so, shouldn’t we get pulled into the planet a little more? So a given bit of matter, with X atoms in it, should be a little “heavier” on earth than it was years ago.
Well? Am I right?
Yes, you are correct. This affect is also the reason we will not (eventually) have to worry about rising ocean levels making tropical islands disappear due to climate change. As the earth rotates, the outward centrifugal force is greatest at the equator. As the earth slows down, gravity (a roughly equal force pulling inward from all directions) exerts a constant force and rotation (an unequal, outward force that causes the earth to be oblong) exerts a decreasing force. Right now, the oceans are deeper along the equator than they are at the poles because of this effect. As we slow down, that will normalize, so the sea level will actually fall in the tropical regions. We just need to wait a few billion years.
I think the earth is the opposite of oblong, right? Is there a word for it? Then again, maybe it just depends how you look at it. Is an egg oblong or extremely fat in the middle? Depends how you hold it, right?
I know what you mean, of course.
As to the rest, thank you for the validation. And I’ll tell the next environmentalist I see to just be more patient. The tropics will be fine.