If the polar ice caps were to melt due to climate change,
what would happen to the Earth’s period of rotation? Explain. Give possible
consequences of said change in rotation.
We know the speed of rotation of the earth increases if the mass brought closer to the rotational axis.
The speed of the rotation decreases if the mass brought away from the rotational axis.
=> When mass brought closer to the axis the moment of inertia decreases and when mass brought away from the axis moment of inertia increases.
We know the rotational speed inversely proportional to the moment of inertia.
Know if the polar ice caps were to melt due to climate change then the moment of inertia increases thus the rotational speed of the earth decreases. So, the Earth's period of rotation increases.
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