If we harness wave and wind power for energy use a lot, will that slow the Earth’s rotation?
December 7th, 2009 | by Michael |
Pelagius asked:
This question is not as stupid as it sounds: it relates to a law I half-remember in Physics, about the preservation of Energy.
JOSEPH
This question is not as stupid as it sounds: it relates to a law I half-remember in Physics, about the preservation of Energy.
JOSEPH
4 Responses to “If we harness wave and wind power for energy use a lot, will that slow the Earth’s rotation?”
By Ronin on Dec 10, 2009 | Reply
I seriously doubt it. There is some evidence that dams are causing a preponderance of water mass in the northern hemisphere that has a discernible effect on our rotation, but wind is SO much less massive, and the “wave-power” is not really moving mass quantities of water in any particular direction.
Of course any action at all, even one person jumping up and down has SOME effect, but un-detectable with current instruments.
Not a bad question at all.
By Paulie D on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
Of course not.
By nosf37 on Dec 14, 2009 | Reply
Wind and waves are produced by the solar energy. You don’t have to worry about Earth’s rotation.
By Dr. R on Dec 16, 2009 | Reply
Not wind and waves. Tides, yes. Tidal drag on the ocean floor transfers angular momentum from the earth’s rotation to the moon’s orbit. Tidal power plants would increase this by a negligible amount