Time period of earth is 365 days. If the Earth is stoped revolving what is the time taken by earth to colloid to sun?

The Earth takes approximately 365 days to complete one full orbit around the Sun. This period is known as a year. If we imagine a scenario where the Earth suddenly stops revolving around the Sun, the situation becomes quite complex due to the laws of physics, particularly gravity and inertia. Let's break this down to understand what would happen and how long it might take for the Earth to collide with the Sun.

The Concept of Orbital Motion

To grasp this scenario, it's essential to understand that the Earth is not just moving in a straight line towards the Sun; rather, it is in a stable orbit due to the balance between its forward motion and the gravitational pull of the Sun. This balance keeps the Earth at an average distance of about 93 million miles (150 million kilometers) from the Sun.

What Happens if Earth Stops Revolving?

If the Earth were to suddenly stop its orbital motion, it would no longer have the centripetal force needed to maintain its orbit. Instead, it would begin to fall directly towards the Sun due to gravitational attraction. The time it would take to reach the Sun can be estimated using the principles of physics.

Calculating the Time to Collision

To estimate the time it would take for the Earth to collide with the Sun, we can use the concept of free fall under gravity. The gravitational force between two masses (in this case, the Earth and the Sun) can be described by Newton's law of universal gravitation. The acceleration due to gravity at the distance of the Earth from the Sun can be calculated using the formula:

• F = G * (m1 * m2) / r²

Where:

• F is the gravitational force.
• G is the gravitational constant.
• m1 and m2 are the masses of the Earth and the Sun.
• r is the distance between the centers of the two bodies.

Using this force, we can determine the acceleration of the Earth as it falls towards the Sun. The average distance from the Earth to the Sun is about 93 million miles (or 150 million kilometers). The gravitational acceleration at this distance is approximately 0.0059 m/s².

Time to Impact

To find the time it would take for the Earth to fall into the Sun, we can use the formula for the distance fallen under constant acceleration:

• d = 0.5 * a * t²

Rearranging this to solve for time (t) gives us:

• t = √(2d/a)

Substituting the values:

• d = 150 million kilometers (or 150,000,000,000 meters)
• a = 0.0059 m/s²

Plugging these values into the equation, we find:

• t = √(2 * 150,000,000,000 / 0.0059)

This calculation results in a time of approximately 1,000,000 seconds, which translates to about 11.5 days. So, if the Earth were to stop revolving and fall directly into the Sun, it would take roughly 11.5 days to collide.

Final Thoughts

This hypothetical scenario illustrates the delicate balance of forces that keep our planet in orbit. In reality, such an event is impossible under normal circumstances, as the laws of physics dictate that the Earth will continue its orbit unless acted upon by an external force. Understanding these principles helps us appreciate the intricate dynamics of our solar system.