Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.

Is it possible to move the earth off its axis by moving too much of the Earth's surface weight to one side?

3 Answers

Relevance
  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    The only thing that ever happened in that light was back in the ice ages. Much water got tied up as ice in the polar and northern temperate regions, that the earth's rotation sped up a little (like the ice skater who draws in the arms will speed up.) If man tried to move mass, little by little, let's say to the Asian continent, the earth itself would compensate by whatever means it has available - oceans, magma, etc.

    Source(s): I teach physics.
  • 1 decade ago

    As you have perhaps experienced, a spinning gyro toy will resist attempts at moving it from it's axis (precession). Even as a spinning small toy, one does take note that it requires some effort to move it from it's appointed "rounds". Since the laws of physics apply in all of the universe, I would think that the forces needed to move the earth off of it's axis (gyroscopic precession) would either be negated by an equal and opposite reaction or be absorbed into it's own kinetic energy. The mass and torque of earth's rotation is too strong to be affected by any shifting of weight on it's surface. Hope this helps, it's all I can remember from Science class ( I slept thru half of it).

  • 1 decade ago

    No.Because where ever the weight may act.It is pulled by the gravitational foce acting from the center of earth.It is possible to shift the axis by the theory of Newtons law.By blasting a heavy bomp at one side it will get tilted in the other direction.

    Source(s): My knowledge in earth science.
Still have questions? Get your answers by asking now.