Journey to Zero Centrifugal Force: How Much Would You Weigh if the Earth Stopped Spinning?

Imagine a scenario where the Earth suddenly stopped spinning. How would our perception of weight change under such circumstances?

Current Weight Calculation

Let's start with a fundamental equation in physics: W m cdot g, where:

W is your weight. m is your mass. g is the acceleration due to gravity, approximately 9.81 m/s2.

For instance, if you weigh 70 kg, your weight can be calculated as:

W_{current} 70 kg times 9.81 m/s2 approx 686.7 N

h2>Centrifugal Force and Its Effect

The Earth rotates on its axis, creating a centrifugal force that reduces our effective weight. This force is most pronounced at the equator, where it can reduce effective weight by about 0.3%, compared to a non-rotating Earth.

Weight if the Earth Stopped Spinning

Without centrifugal force, your effective weight would increase. Here’s how we can calculate this:

Current weight: 686.7 N Increase due to stopping rotation: 686.7 N times 0.003 approx 2.06 N New weight: 686.7 N - 2.06 N approx 688.76 N

Conclusion

A 70 kg person (686.7 N) would weigh approximately 688.76 N if the Earth stopped spinning. This 0.3% increase is significant only if you are at the equator, where the centrifugal force is greatest, and negligible at the poles, where the force is almost zero.

Negligible Weight Differences

Even at the equator, the difference in weight is incredibly small, around 0.4%. This means the change would be practically undetectable unless you are paying extremely close attention.

Exploring the Impact

While the mass of the Earth remains constant, the effect of the centrifugal force is what makes your weight appear slightly different. For an even clearer understanding, consider weighing yourself at the equator and the poles; you would notice almost no difference.

Conclusion and Further Reading

Though the Earth doesn't and can't stop spinning, understanding the concept helps shed light on the intricate balance between centrifugal force and gravity. Explore further how these forces manifest in our daily lives and the fascinating physics behind them.