The Cause of Earth's Rotation: Faradey's Motor or Something Else?

In summary, the most accepted postulate about the cause of Earth's rotation is that during the formation of the solar system, the swirling turbulence of the big bang eventually led to the creation of galaxies, including our own, which rotate. Within these galaxies, smaller swirls of turbulence formed solar systems, which also rotate. As hot and sticky material came together to form planets, there was initial spinning due to the original angular momentum from the beginning of the universe. It is also possible that dark matter played a role in this process. This explanation is the most logical and is supported by evidence such as meteorite composition.
  • #1
Chemist@
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What is today the most accepted postulate about the cause of Earth's rotation? Faradey's motor or the elements that initially made Earth were rotating around a center of mass, and the velocity remained, or something else?
English is not my mother language, sorry if I wrote something wrong.
 
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  • #2
i saw a NOVA Science Now episode that seemed to indicate that they didn't know precisely how the solar system and our planet were formed about 4.5 billion years ago. we know, from meteorite composition that material cooked up in a super nova plays a part.

my best guess, as a non-astronomer (heck, I'm not even a physicist), is that going all the way back to the big bang, that there was lots of turbulence in it. big swirls of turbulence eventually became galaxies (that rotate), smaller swirls of turbulence inside the big swirls eventually become solar systems (that, for the most part, rotate). i can imagine that as hot and sticky material started to glob together eventually becoming planets, that there was some initial spinning of the aggregate of material also, the original angular momentum going all the way back to the very beginning. where else would the angular momentum come from?
 
  • #3
I meant something similar for the second example I wrote. This seems as the most logic explanation.
I thought that dark matter could also have some role here.
 

FAQ: The Cause of Earth's Rotation: Faradey's Motor or Something Else?

What is Faradey's motor and how does it relate to the Earth's rotation?

Faradey's motor is a theoretical device proposed by scientist Michael Faraday in the 19th century. It consists of a spinning disc suspended in a magnetic field, which causes the disc to rotate. Some scientists believe that this concept can be applied to explain the Earth's rotation, however, there is no conclusive evidence to support this theory.

Are there other theories about the cause of Earth's rotation?

Yes, there are several theories proposed by scientists to explain the Earth's rotation. These include the conservation of angular momentum, the giant impact hypothesis, and the tidal theory. Each of these theories has its own sets of evidence and limitations.

Can the Earth's rotation be affected by external factors?

Yes, the Earth's rotation can be affected by external factors such as the gravitational pull of the Moon and other celestial bodies, as well as changes in the Earth's shape and mass distribution. These external factors can cause slight variations in the Earth's rotation, but they are not the primary cause.

Is there a way to determine the exact cause of the Earth's rotation?

Currently, there is no definitive answer to what exactly causes the Earth's rotation. Scientists continue to study and gather evidence to support different theories, but the complexity of the Earth's rotation makes it difficult to determine a single cause.

Why is it important to understand the cause of the Earth's rotation?

Understanding the cause of the Earth's rotation is crucial for understanding the Earth's overall motion and its effects on our planet. It also helps us to better understand the formation and evolution of the Earth, as well as its place in the larger universe.

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