• Question: if the world turns why dosen't our house turn to the oppisite side of the road

    Asked by kirstyloo to Antonia, Douglas, Hugh, Matt, Tom on 23 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Antonia Hamilton

      Antonia Hamilton answered on 22 Jun 2010:

      because the road turns too

    • Photo: Matthew Hurley

      Matthew Hurley answered on 22 Jun 2010:

      I’m not sure what you mean – but if I understand you your house doesn’t move because it’s fixed to the earth’s crust (along with everything else on your street) so that everything moves the same in relation to each other. The same as if you were on a train with other people – you don’t change places with other passengers – they all stay in the same place on the train, even though you’re all moving.

    • Photo: Douglas Blane

      Douglas Blane answered on 23 Jun 2010:

      Main reason is that everything is turning at the same speed in the same direction where your house and road are. And that’s true of everybody’s house and road.

      Your house is going at a slightly different speed and direction from mine, though. And the house belonging to the prime minister of Australia is going at a very different speed and direction to both of ours.

      If the Earth suddenly stopped or slowed down, houses and everything else would start sliding around.

      But there’s nothing to make it do that. So the world just keeps on turning.

      And the only way you’re going to get to the other side of your road is by walking there. Don’t forget to look both ways. 🙂

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