question_answer

If earth were to shrink suddenly, what would happen to the length of the day?

Answer:

                When the earth shrinks, the moment of inertia \[\left( I=\frac{2}{5}M{{R}^{2}} \right)\]decreases about its own axis due to the decrease in radius R To conserve angular momentum. \[(L=I\omega =I.\frac{2\pi }{T}),\] the time period T decreases. That is, the length of the day decreases.