Ask A Scientist© Astronomy Archive

Author:      adam l chorak  and  janette l gubala
What would happen if the Earth's rotation stopped?

Response #:  1 of 2 
Author:      samuel p bowen
The biggest changes would be the climate.  One side would be very hot and
the other very cool and dark.  There would be lots of other related changes. 
There are very few ways that we could slow down the rotation.   The major
forces acting to do this are related to tidal gravitational forces from the
Moon and the Sun.  We should not expect this change soon.  

Response #:  2 of 2
Author:      hawley
All our toilets would flush straight down instead of swirling?  Sorry, I
could not resist.  That is like asking what would happen if the Moon
disappeared, or the Sun stopped burning, or fire became cold instead of hot. 
What would happen if the Earth's tides and weather went totally bananas? 
If the Sun no longer rose and set?  If geostationary satellites started
orbiting overhead every 24 hours, I could not watch my MTV!