If the Earth stopped spinning would gravity stop?

No. Gravity has nothing to do with rotation. It is a fundamental force like electromagnetism and the two nuclear forces. However, because at the equator rotation produces a slight 'anti-gravity effect making things slightly lighter by a few grams, if the Earth stopped rotating, objects would weigh exactly the same at all points on the Earth.


Copyright 1997 Dr. Sten Odenwald
Return to Ask the Astronomer.