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Name: Brad
Status: Student
Age: 30s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: N/A
Question:
Is it true that the rotation of the earth is slowing down ever so slightly? If so do you know the rate at which it is slowing down?


Replies:
The tides are causing the earth's rotation to slow due to friction. The rate of rotational slowdown has been determined by astronomers to be 0.002 seconds per century. This rate has been determined by studying growth rings in the shells of certain invertebrates, such as clams and corals, and comparing them with growth rings in the shells of fossil specimens.

Revolution rate (Earth's trip around the sun) does not change.

Steve


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