What If The Earth Were Twice As Big?
Ever wonder what would happen if suddenly, in a flick of time, the size of earth doubled. But only the mass increases not the density. What would have happened? Will we survive after all that? What will happen? Didn’t know the answer. We know it. Let’s first discuss why Earth had a favourable environment.
Earth’s Conditions
First of all, Earth lies in Goldilocks Zone. Goldilocks region is an area of space in which a planet is just the right distance from its home star so that its surface is neither too hot nor too cold. Because we lie in such a region, the water which is our lifeline, neither evaporate nor freezes. Let’s discuss what would happen if the Earth-size increased.
Earth’s Condition after the Change
1. Gravity and Weight
The gravity will be increased as the mass of the earth will be eight times its now. And the gravity will be twice its now. So if you try to measure your weight, this would instantly make your weight twice as much as it was before.
2. Walking
It would more difficult for us to walk here and there. As the gravity will twice, we will need more force to walk. It will be like you were walking with someone sitting on your back. Your bones and muscles will become stronger to support your weight.
3. Adaptation and Evolution
Our spines would eventually become more compressed by being constantly pulled down, causing all kinds of species to become shorter. Evolution would accelerate and natural selection will be taken out. In general, animals would also become shorter. Small animals would be affected less since energy requirements for them to move around will increase insignificantly. Falls will have much more serious consequences, so climbing animals will have to develop a firmer grip.
4. Trees will collapse
How tall can a tree grow? Actually, it is regulated by gravity. A tree will keep growing as long as the amount of energy needed to transport water to the top will be less than the amount of energy it obtains from photosynthesis. Increased gravity would disrupt the balance since it would require much more energy to move water up the tree trunk.
5. Volcanoes will erupt
The amount of unstable elements inside Earth will increase with a bigger mass, leading to excessive heating and increased volcanic activity. Dormant volcanoes all over the world might wake up after thousands of years. The face of the bigger Earth will become very different, volcanic activity will change its shape and create new land. Climate change might also follow because gases from eruptions affect the atmosphere.
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