Why does planet earth spin? How the earth rotates Why does the earth revolve around itself

The Moon has been accompanying our planet on its great space journey for several billion years. And she shows us, earthlings, from century to century always the same lunar landscape. Why do we admire only one side of our companion? Does the Moon rotate around its axis or does it float motionless in space?

Characteristics of our cosmic neighbor

There are satellites in the solar system much larger than the moon. Ganymede is a satellite of Jupiter, for example, twice as heavy as the Moon. But it is the largest satellite relative to the mother planet. Its mass is more than a percent of the Earth's, and its diameter is about a quarter of the Earth's. There are no such proportions in the solar family of planets anymore.

Let's try to answer the question of whether the Moon rotates on its axis by taking a closer look at our closest cosmic neighbor. According to the theory accepted today in scientific circles, our planet acquired its natural satellite while still a protoplanet - not completely cooled, covered with an ocean of liquid hot lava, as a result of a collision with another planet, smaller in size. Therefore, the chemical compositions of the lunar and terrestrial soils are slightly different - the heavy cores of the colliding planets merged, which is why the terrestrial rocks are richer in iron. The Moon got the remains of the upper layers of both protoplanets; there is more rock there.

Does the Moon Rotate?

To be precise, the question of whether the Moon rotates is not entirely correct. After all, like any satellite in our system, it turns around the mother planet and spins around the star with it. But the Moon is not quite usual.

No matter how much you look at the Moon, it is always turned towards us by the crater of Quiet and the Sea of ​​Tranquility. “Does the Moon rotate around its axis?” - earthlings have asked themselves this question from century to century. Strictly speaking, if we operate in geometric concepts, the answer depends on the chosen coordinate system. Relative to the Earth, the Moon really does not have axial rotation.

But from the point of view of an observer located on the Sun-Earth line, the axial rotation of the Moon will be clearly visible, and one polar revolution will be equal in duration to an orbital revolution up to a fraction of a second.

Interestingly, this phenomenon is not unique in the solar system. Thus, Pluto's satellite Charon always looks at its planet with one side, and the satellites of Mars - Deimos and Phobos - behave in the same way.

In scientific parlance, this is called synchronous rotation or tidal capture.

What is a tide?

In order to understand the essence of this phenomenon and confidently answer the question of whether the Moon rotates around its own axis, it is necessary to understand the essence of tidal phenomena.

Let's imagine two mountains on the surface of the Moon, one of which “looks” directly at the Earth, while the other is located at the opposite point of the lunar globe. Obviously, if both mountains were not part of the same celestial body, but rotated around our planet independently, their rotation could not be synchronous, the one closer, according to the laws of Newtonian mechanics, should rotate faster. That is why the masses of the lunar ball, located at points opposite to the Earth, tend to “run away from each other.”

How the Moon “stopped”

It is convenient to understand how tidal forces act on a particular celestial body using the example of our own planet. After all, we also revolve around the Moon, or rather, the Moon and Earth, as it should be in astrophysics, “dance in a circle” around the physical center of mass.

As a result of the action of tidal forces, both at the point closest and at the most distant point from the satellite, the level of water covering the Earth rises. Moreover, the maximum amplitude of the ebb and flow can reach 15 meters or more.

Another feature of this phenomenon is that these tidal “humps” daily bend around the surface of the planet against its rotation, creating friction at points 1 and 2, and thus slowly stopping the Earth in its rotation.

The impact of the Earth on the Moon is much stronger due to the difference in mass. And although there is no ocean on the Moon, tidal forces act no worse on rocks. And the result of their work is obvious.

So does the Moon rotate on its axis? The answer is yes. But this rotation is closely related to the movement around the planet. Over millions of years, tidal forces have aligned the Moon's axial rotation with its orbital rotation.

What about the Earth?

Astrophysicists claim that immediately after the big collision that caused the formation of the Moon, the rotation of our planet was much greater than it is now. The day lasted no more than five hours. But as a result of the friction of tidal waves on the ocean floor, year after year, millennium after millennium, the rotation slowed down, and the current day already lasts 24 hours.

On average, each century adds 20-40 seconds to our day. Scientists suggest that in a couple of billion years our planet will look at the Moon in the same way as the Moon looks at it, that is, on the same side. True, this most likely will not happen, since even earlier the Sun, having turned into a red giant, will “swallow” both the Earth and its faithful satellite, the Moon.

By the way, tidal forces give earthlings not only an increase and decrease in the level of the world's oceans in the equator region. By influencing the masses of metals in the earth's core, deforming the hot center of our planet, the Moon helps maintain it in a liquid state. And thanks to the active liquid core, our planet has its own magnetic field, protecting the entire biosphere from the deadly solar wind and deadly cosmic rays.

When I was little I learned that The earth rotates. My grandfather once told me about a sundial and what its principle was. It's so common to watch sunrise and sunset Sun, but what will happen if The earth will stop?

Which direction does the Earth rotate?

It all depends on how you look at it. Relatively South Pole, the globe will rotate in the direction clockwise, and quite the opposite on North Pole. It is logical that the rotation occurs in the direction of the east - after all, the Sun appears from the east and disappears in the west. Scientists have found that the planet is gradually slows down by thousandths of a second per year. Most of the planets in our system have the same direction of rotation, the only exceptions being Uranus And Venus. If you look at the Earth from space, you can notice two types of movement: around its axis, and around the star - the Sun.

Few people didn't notice whirlpool water in the bathroom. This phenomenon, despite its commonality, is quite a mystery for the scientific world. Indeed, in Northern Hemisphere the whirlpool is directed counterclock-wise, and in the opposite - everything is the other way around. Most scientists consider this a show of power Coriolis(inertia caused by rotation Earth). Some other manifestations of this force can be cited in favor of this theory:

• V northern hemisphere central winds cyclone they blow counterclockwise, in the south - vice versa;
• the left rail of the railway wears out the most in Southern Hemisphere, while in the opposite - right;

• by the rivers in Northern Hemisphere pronounced right steep bank, in Yuzhny it’s the other way around.

What if she stops

It's interesting to imagine what would happen if our planet stops rotating. For an ordinary person, this would be equivalent to driving cars at 2000 km/h and then sudden braking. I think there is no need to explain the consequences of such an event, but this will not be the worst thing. If you are at this moment equator, the human body will continue to “fly” at a speed of almost 500 meters per second, however, those who are lucky enough to be closer to poles, you will be able to survive, but not for long. The wind will become so strong that the force of its action will be comparable to the force nuclear bomb explosion, and wind friction will cause fires all over the planet.

Why does the earth rotate on its axis? Why, in the presence of friction, has it not stopped over millions of years (or maybe it has stopped and rotated in the other direction more than once)? What determines continental drift? What is the cause of earthquakes? Why did dinosaurs become extinct? How to scientifically explain periods of glaciation? In what or more precisely how to scientifically explain empirical astrology?Try to answer these questions in sequence.

Abstracts

1. The reason for the rotation of planets around their axis is an external source of energy - the Sun.
2. The rotation mechanism is as follows:
   • The sun heats the gaseous and liquid phases of the planets (atmosphere and hydrosphere).
   • As a result of uneven heating, ‘air’ and ‘sea’ currents arise, which, through interaction with the solid phase of the planet, begin to spin it in one direction or another.
   • The configuration of the solid phase of the planet, like a turbine blade, determines the direction and speed of rotation.
3. If the solid phase is not sufficiently monolithic and solid, then it moves (continental drift).
4. The movement of the solid phase (continental drift) can lead to acceleration or deceleration of rotation, up to a change in the direction of rotation, etc. Oscillatory and other effects are possible.
5. In turn, the similarly displaced solid upper phase (the earth’s crust) interacts with the underlying layers of the Earth, which are more stable in the sense of rotation. At the contact boundary, a large amount of energy is released in the form of heat. This thermal energy is apparently one of the main reasons for the heating of the Earth. And this boundary is one of the areas where the formation of rocks and minerals occurs.
6. All these accelerations and decelerations have a long-term effect (climate), and a short-term effect (weather), and not only meteorological, but also geological, biological, genetic.

Confirmations

The earthquake belt is nothing more than a giant accordion, which is constantly in motion under the influence of tensile and compressive variable forces.

By monitoring the winds and currents, you can determine the points (areas) of application of spinning and braking forces, and then using a pre-built mathematical model of a terrain area, you can mathematically strictly, using strength of material, calculate earthquakes!

The daily fluctuations of the Earth's magnetic field are explained, completely different explanations of geological and geophysical phenomena arise, and additional facts arise for the analysis of hypotheses about the origin of the planets of the solar system.

The formation of such geological formations as island arcs, for example the Aleutian or Kuril Islands, is explained. Arcs are formed from the side opposite to the action of sea and wind forces, as a result of the interaction of a mobile continent (for example, Eurasia) with a less mobile oceanic crust (for example, the Pacific Ocean). In this case, the ocean crust does not move under the continental crust, but, on the contrary, the continent moves over the ocean, and only in those places where the ocean crust transfers forces to another continent (in this example, America) can the ocean crust move under the continent and arcs do not form here. In turn, similarly, the American continent transfers forces to the crust of the Atlantic Ocean and through it to Eurasia and Africa, i.e. the circle has closed.

Confirmation of such movement is the block structure of faults on the bottom of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans; movements occur in blocks along the direction of action of forces.

Some facts are explained:

• why did the dinosaurs become extinct (the rotation speed changed, the rotation speed decreased and the length of the day increased significantly, possibly until the direction of rotation completely changed);
• why periods of glaciation occurred;
• why some plants have different genetically determined daylight hours.

Such empirical alchemical astrology also receives an explanation through genetics.

Environmental problems associated with even minor climate change, through sea currents, can significantly affect the Earth's biosphere.

The power of solar radiation when approaching the Earth is enormous ~ 1.5 kW.h/m

In reality, even the surface of the sea does not follow the shape of the geoid. The shape that we see in the section is the same more or less balanced gravitational shape that the globe has achieved.

There are also local deviations from the geoid. For example, the Gulf Stream rises 100-150 cm above the surrounding water surface, the Sargasso Sea is elevated and, conversely, the ocean level is lowered near the Bahamas and over the Puerto Rico Trench. The reason for these small differences is winds and currents. Eastern trade winds drive water into the western Atlantic. The Gulf Stream carries away this excess water, so its level is higher than the surrounding waters. The level of the Sargasso Sea is higher because it is the center of the current cycle and water is forced into it from all sides.

Tectonic scheme and Atlantic Ocean current system.

1 - Gulf Stream, 2 and 3 - equatorial currents(North and South Trade Wind Currents),4 - Antilles, 5 - Caribbean, 6 - Canary, 7 - Portuguese, 8 - North Atlantic, 9 - Irminger, 10 - Norwegian, 11 - East Greenland, 12 - West Greenland, 13 - Labrador, 14 - Guinean, 15 - Benguela, 16 - Brazilian, 17 - Falkland, 18 -Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC)

(based on laser satellite observations over the past 15 years)

As you know, a gene is a more or less stable formation. To obtain mutations, significant external influences are required: radiation (irradiation), chemical exposure (poisoning), biological influence (infections and diseases). Thus, in the gene, as by analogy in the annual rings of plants, newly acquired mutations are recorded. This is especially known in the example of plants; there are plants with long and short daylight hours. And this directly indicates the duration of the corresponding photoperiod when this species was formed.

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Some hypotheses and conclusions arising from this theory of the Earth's rotation

In 1754, the German philosopher I. Kant explained the changes in the acceleration of the Moon by the fact that the tidal humps formed by the Moon on the Earth, as a result of friction, are carried along with the solid body of the Earth in the direction of the rotation of the Earth (see figure). The attraction of these humps by the Moon in total gives a couple of forces that slow down the rotation of the Earth. Further, the mathematical theory of the “secular slowdown” of the Earth’s rotation was developed by J. Darwin.

From the point of view of this theory,if an alien civilization originated, it was not on Mars, but on Venus. And we should look not for Martians, but for the descendants of Venusians, which we, perhaps, to some extent, are.

1. Ecology and climate

Thus, this theory refutes the idea of ​​a constant (zero) heat balance. In the balances known to me, there is no energy from earthquakes, continental drift, tides, heating of the Earth and the formation of rocks, maintaining the rotation of the Moon, or biological life. (It turns out that biological life is one of the ways to absorb energy). It is known that the atmosphere producing wind uses less than 1% of the energy to maintain the current system. At the same time, 100 times more of the total amount of heat transferred by currents can potentially be used. So this 100 times greater value and also wind energy are used unevenly over time for earthquakes, typhoons and hurricanes, continental drift, ebbs and flows, heating of the Earth and the formation of rocks, maintaining the rotation of the Earth and the Moon, etc.

Environmental problems associated with even minor climate change due to changes in sea currents can significantly affect the Earth's biosphere. Any ill-considered (or deliberate in the interests of any one nation) attempts to change the climate by turning (Northern) rivers, laying canals (Kanin Nos), building dams across the straits, etc., due to the speed of implementation, in addition to direct benefits, will certainly lead to change the existing “seismic equilibrium” in the earth’s crust, i.e. to the formation of new seismic zones.

In other words, we must first understand all the interrelations, and then learn to control the rotation of the Earth - this is one of the tasks of the further development of civilization.

P.S.

As noted above (see thesis No. 5), at the contact boundary (Mohorovicic boundary) a large amount of energy is released in the form of heat. And this boundary is one of the areas where the formation of rocks and minerals occurs. The nature of the reactions (chemical or atomic, apparently even both) is unknown, but based on some facts the following conclusions can already be drawn.

1. V.A. Volynsky. "Astronomy". Education. Moscow. 1971
2. P.G. Kulikovsky. “The Astronomy Amateur's Guide.” Fizmatgiz. Moscow. 1961
3. S. Alekseev. “How mountains grow.” Chemistry and life XXI century No. 4. 1998 Marine encyclopedic dictionary. Shipbuilding. Saint Petersburg. 1993
4. Kukal “Great mysteries of the earth.” Progress. Moscow. 1988
5. I.P. Selinov “Isotopes volume III”. The science. Moscow. 1970 “Rotation of the Earth” TSB volume 9. Moscow.
6. D. Tolmazin. “Ocean in motion.” Gidrometeoizdat. 1976
7. A. N. Oleinikov “Geological clock”. Bosom. Moscow. 1987
8. G.S. Grinberg, D.A. Dolin et al. “The Arctic on the threshold of the third millennium.” The science. St. Petersburg 2000

Today no one has any doubts about the fact that the Earth rotates both around its axis and around the Sun, our natural luminary. This is an absolute and proven fact, but why does the Earth spin the way it does? We will look into this issue today.

Why does the Earth spin on its axis?

We will start with the very first question, which is the nature of the independent rotation of our planet.

And the answer to this question, like many other questions about the secrets of our universe, is the Sun. It is the impact of the Sun's rays on our planet that sets it in motion. If we delve a little deeper into this issue, it is worth noting that the sun's rays warm the atmosphere and hydrosphere of the planet, which are set in motion during the heating process. This movement is what makes the Earth move.

As for the answer to the question of why the Earth rotates counterclockwise and not clockwise, there is no factual confirmation of this fact as such. However, it is worth noting that most bodies in our solar system rotate precisely in a counterclockwise direction. That is why this condition also affected our planet.

In addition, it is important to understand that the Earth rotates counterclockwise only if its movement is observed from the north pole. In the case of observations from the south pole, rotations will occur differently - clockwise.

Why does the Earth revolve around the Sun

As for the more global issue related to the rotation of our planet around its natural star, we examined it in as much detail as possible within the framework of the corresponding article on our website. However, in short, the reason for this rotation is the law of universal gravitation, which acts in Space as on Earth. And it lies in the fact that bodies with greater mass attract less “weighty” bodies. Thus, the Earth is attracted to the Sun and rotates around the star due to its mass, as well as acceleration, moving strictly along the existing orbit.

Why does the Moon revolve around the Earth

We have also already considered the nature of rotation of the natural satellite of our planet, and the reason for such movement is of a similar nature - the law of universal gravitation. The Earth, of course, has more mass than the Moon. Accordingly, the Moon is attracted to the Earth and moves along its orbit.

An interesting thing is that all the planets of the solar system do not stand still, but rotate in one direction or another. Most of them are “in solidarity” with the Sun in this regard. rotate counterclockwise when observed. The exceptions are Venus and Uranus, which rotate in the opposite direction. Moreover, if everything is clear with Venus, then the second planet has some problems with determining the direction, because Scientists have not come to a consensus as to which pole is north and which is south due to the large tilt of the axis. The sun rotates around its axis at a speed of 25-35 days, and this difference is explained by the fact that the rotation is slower at the pole.

The problem of how the Earth rotates (around its axis) has several solutions. Firstly, some believe that the planet rotates under the influence of the energy of the star in our system, i.e. Sun. It heats huge masses of water and air, which act on the solid component, ensuring rotation at one speed or another over long periods of time. Proponents of this theory suggest that the force of the impact may be such that if the solid component of the planet is not strong enough, continental drift may occur. The theory is supported by the fact that planets with matter in three different states (solid, liquid, gas) rotate faster than those with two states. The researchers also note that as it approaches the Earth, a huge power of solar radiation is generated, and the power of the Gulf Stream in the open ocean is more than 60 times greater than the power of all rivers on the planet.

The most common answer to the question: “How does the Earth rotate during the day?” - is the assumption that this rotation has been preserved since the formation of planets from gas and dust clouds with the participation of others that crashed into the surface.

Representatives of different scientific (and not only) directions tried to find out what is connected around the axis. Some believe that for such a uniform rotation, certain external forces of an unknown nature are applied to it. Newton, for example, believed that the world was often “in need of mending.” Today it is assumed that such forces can operate in the Yuzhnye region and at the southern end of the Verkhoyansk Range of Yakutia. It is believed that in these places the earth’s crust is “attached” to the interior by bridges, preventing it from sliding through the mantle. Scientists rely on the fact that in these places interesting bends of mountain ranges were discovered on land and under water, which arose under the influence of enormous forces acting in and under the earth's crust.

No less interesting is how the force of gravity acts here and thanks to which the planet is kept in its orbit like a ball that is spun on a string. As long as these forces are balanced, we will not “fly away” into deep space or, conversely, will not fall on a star. The way the Earth rotates, no other planet rotates. A year, for example, on Mercury lasts about 88 Earth days, and on Pluto it lasts a quarter of a millennium (247.83 Earth years).