What if Earth grew 1cm every second?

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**The Consequences of a Growing Earth: Understanding the Implications of Earth's Expansion**

In a thought-provoking scenario presented in a video titled 'What if Earth grew 1cm every second?', the concept of Earth's gradual expansion is explored in a scientific lens. The theoretical scenario, proposed by Dennis, delves into the consequences of Earth's mean radius increasing by 1 cm every second, assuming the average composition of rock is maintained. So, what would happen if our planet started expanding uniformly from crust to core?

Initially, as the Earth begins to expand, individuals would experience a subtle jolt and then find themselves steadily moving upwards at a rate of 1 cm per second. Surprisingly, this gradual expansion would not lead to an immediate feeling of acceleration. Over time, the expansion would accumulate, with potential effects becoming more pronounced.

One of the first noticeable effects discussed in the video is the impact on structures like roads, bridges, and buildings. Contrary to popular belief, due to the proportional relationship between radius and circumference, the expansion of Earth by 1 cm every second would not immediately result in catastrophic structural failures. Conventional materials like concrete undergo daily expansions and contractions that far exceed such a minuscule rate of growth.

As the days turn into months and years, the consequences of Earth's expansion become more apparent. GPS functionalities would be disrupted, clocks might run ahead due to the altered gravitational forces, and infrastructure failures could become prevalent. After years of continuous expansion, the growth rate would significantly impact gravity, infrastructure stability, and even the planet's atmosphere.

By the end of a decade, the forces of gravity would be significantly heightened, causing widespread collapses in infrastructure and altering living conditions. The expanding Earth would eventually lead to an environment where only small insects and sea creatures could move freely, while humans would struggle to survive under the immense gravity.

The video concludes with a speculative exploration of whether Earth could potentially turn into a black hole due to continuous expansion. Realistically, if the Earth's mass were to increase significantly, the planet would likely collapse under the escalating internal stresses rather than expanding indefinitely.

In a fascinating twist, after centuries of expansion, the relationship between Earth and the moon would undergo a drastic change. The moon, affected by Earth's growing size, would eventually pass a critical threshold leading to its fragmentation and the temporary formation of rings around the planet.

This intriguing hypothetical scenario not only highlights the fascinating interplay between gravity, mass, and expansion but also serves as a reminder of the delicate balance that sustains life on our planet. While the video speculates on extreme consequences, it underscores the importance of understanding the fundamental principles of physics and their implications on the world we inhabit

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