kilton Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 What would the average daily high temperature be in Washington DC if the Earth's revolution around the sun suddenly stopped on one of the equinoxes? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isohume Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 What would the average daily high temperature be in Washington DC if the Earth's revolution around the sun suddenly stopped on the vernal equinox? You mean when. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klw Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 I read the question and immediately thought of Dennis Miller imitating a stoned guy saying "How do I know what the color blue is to me is the same as the color blue is to you." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoarfrostHubb Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 What would the average daily high temperature be in Washington DC if the Earth's revolution around the sun suddenly stopped on the vernal equinox? Would it only stop for that day? That would be weird... and would the Earth still rotate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Lizard Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Wouldn't it strongly be an angle of where on the Earth DC was when the rotation stopped. March 20th, 23:21 Z. So it'd be late afternoon. Wouldn't be as bad as, say, California, I'd guess. The sudden stop might cause some issues.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilton Posted February 26, 2011 Author Share Posted February 26, 2011 Would it only stop for that day? That would be weird... and would the Earth still rotate? No, stop permanently. And yes, still rotating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Chill Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Just Google it. Google holds the answer to the life, universe, and everything. It's 42 right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kilton Posted February 26, 2011 Author Share Posted February 26, 2011 Google does not hold the answer since it's a matter of opinion. So I figured I'd check with the experts. But if you guys are too busy talking about JB, I understand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallow Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 No, stop permanently. And yes, still rotating. It would get warmer and warmer until the Earth crashed into the sun shortly thereafter. Our radial velocity WRT the sun is what keeps us in orbit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
famartin Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 What would the average daily high temperature be in Washington DC if the Earth's revolution around the sun suddenly stopped on one of the equinoxes? To answer this question in a serious manner (yeah I know, I'm spoiling the fun ): It would probably be close to the average of the two equinoxes. So, probably in the mid to upper 60s. However, any significant changes in weather patterns brought about by the Earth's sudden stop would influence it strongly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superjames1992 Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 I read the question and immediately thought of Dennis Miller imitating a stoned guy saying "How do I know what the color blue is to me is the same as the color blue is to you." I've always wondered about that question myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aslkahuna Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 It would get warmer and warmer until the Earth crashed into the sun shortly thereafter. Our radial velocity WRT the sun is what keeps us in orbit. You mean tangential plus radial velocity. Radial is towards or away and represents the two forces in balance with the tangential which is perpendicular to the radius vector connecting the Sun and Earth. Sort of like Geostrophic flow except with no friction to cause inward spiralling. Otherwise, you are right with no velocity to maintain orbit, the Earth would crash into the Sun. Even if we were to spiral in, without orbital velocity at 1 AU, we would never accelerate enough for orbit velocity even closer and would still spiral into the Sun. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mallow Posted February 28, 2011 Share Posted February 28, 2011 You mean tangential plus radial velocity. Radial is towards or away and represents the two forces in balance with the tangential which is perpendicular to the radius vector connecting the Sun and Earth. Sort of like Geostrophic flow except with no friction to cause inward spiralling. Otherwise, you are right with no velocity to maintain orbit, the Earth would crash into the Sun. Even if we were to spiral in, without orbital velocity at 1 AU, we would never accelerate enough for orbit velocity even closer and would still spiral into the Sun. Steve Sorry, yes. That's what I meant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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