Is it physically possible for the Earth to stop spinning on its axis? If so, how would that effect us?

Question

Just wondering......

I've never heard it discussed before.

Answer 1

not possible.

I've seen several similar questions in the last few days.

Answer 2

Hi. You are bound by the law of conservation of angular momentum. You would have to add an equal but opposite amount to cancel the rotation. This would be pretty destructive internally and externally to the Earth.

Answer 3

There is no natural force that would do this - at least not one that would not also likely destroy the earth.  Even if there was a un natural force powerful enough it might take millions of years to accomplish the task.  The interior is  molten iron slashing around.  If we stop the outer shell, the interior will keep on spinning.  Friction would likely pull the sphere back into a spin.  My head hurts just think about the mechanics of getting all the components of the planet to stop in equilibrium

But what would happen is you could?

First - define 'stopped'

If the Earth Truly Stopped spinning then 1 day would be the same length as one year.  But most people probably think 'stopped' means being tidally locked to the sun as the moon is to the earth (yes the moon spins - but one revolution is equal to one orbit.)   In that case one side would be in eternal sunlight, the other in eternal darkness.