Theoretically, can this be done? - Writers Forum

Storm Eagle · 08-12-2007, 01:51 PM

I'm going to do this anyways, because it is my book, but I was just wondering deep inside if this was theoretically possible: Splitting the earth in a rough half and it still is able to support life. Can this be done? Once again, this is just for my advancement in knowledge, as I will do it anyways in my novel(s)

Blood_Writer · 08-12-2007, 04:30 PM

Hmm, being 14 and taking in what I've learnt in Geography and Science, I dont think it is. If the earth split, there would be no orbit, it would break the Ozone layer (burning us all) and,well, a load of other problems...

Sorry,

BW.

Quaq · 08-12-2007, 04:58 PM

I don't even want to think about what that would do to our gravity. I just can't imagine it remaining able to keep life, sorry.

Non Serviam · 08-12-2007, 05:06 PM

I think that any impact or force powerful enough to split the Earth in half would also be rather likely to knock it out of orbit and send it spiralling into the Sun, or else flying off into interstellar space. There would also be little side-effects, such as the planet shedding most its atmosphere and much of its hydrosphere, being irradiated and sterilised by inimical solar radiation, etc.

By comparison, the various hypothesised past asteroidal impacts -- including the one that some scientists think wiped out the dinosaurs, or even the much larger one that some scientists think wiped out 99% of the species on Earth long before the first dinosaur evolved -- are small potatoes.

Rumrunner · 08-12-2007, 05:30 PM

A couple of other considerations, on top of what has been mentioned...

Split in half, the Earth's liquid nickle-iron core would either vent to space or cool and solidify. No liquid core = no magnetic field, and since that's the primary thing shielding us from the solar wind, we would be bombarded with high-energy particles and the atmosphere would begin to be stripped away.

Also, the center of gravity would be disrupted - the planet would no longer rotate evenly and the unusual distribution of mass would probably ultimately cause a tidal lock. No rotation = no day and night, and therefore one side of the planet would cook, while the other froze.

Even more to the point, large cosmic objects exist in a spherical shape for a reason; gravity pulls all points towards the center of mass evenly. The tendency would be for the half-Earth to gradually reshape itself into a much smaller sphere, which would result in some pretty darn nasty tectonic activity.

A reduction in mass would cause a reduction in gravity, which would in turn result in a change in the distribution of the atmosphere - the atmospheric envelope would expand further into space, becoming much less dense at sea level, reducing its ability to regulate temperatures and making it harder to breath. The thinner air at the fringes would be even more susceptible to being stripped away by the solar wind.

Further more, temperature variations and a thinner atmosphere would accelerate water evaporation, and for the same reason the atmosphere rises higher the water molecules would make it further into space, too. The result would be photodissociation and an eventual loss of water to space. The planet would dry up.

So, in other words, no. There is simply no chance whatsoever that the Earth could continue to sustain life after being split in half.

Cheers,

Rumrunner

mammamaia · 08-12-2007, 07:17 PM

great rundown of the consequences, rr!... sorry, storm eagle, but if you're gonna do it anyway, in your book, it won't be the least bit believable...

valeca · 08-12-2007, 09:30 PM

That's hardly fair to say, maia. Look at the things Douglas Adams wrote about. So long as he can make the reader suspend his/her disbelief long enough to enjoy the story, and it makes sense within the context of the story, it doesn't really matter if it's grounded in reality or not.

Have fun with it, Storm Eagle.

ClancyBoy · 08-12-2007, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valeca

That's hardly fair to say, maia. Look at the things Douglas Adams wrote about. So long as he can make the reader suspend his/her disbelief long enough to enjoy the story, and it makes sense within the context of the story, it doesn't really matter if it's grounded in reality or not.

Have fun with it, Storm Eagle.

Douglas Adams is the least bit believable?

I kinda thought Storm Eagle was going the hard-SF route. If he is, tough luck.

If not, I suppose he can do anything. Split the planet in half and cover the gooey insides with a forcefield of saran-wrap to keep them fresh. Then create a big heavy counterweight for the flat edge to keep it rotating properly. It's what Douglas Adams would do.

Hodge · 08-12-2007, 09:48 PM

Douglas Adams wrote humor. The "Improbability Drive" was effing hilarious, but it wouldn't be believable at all in a Larry Niven novel.

lin · 08-12-2007, 10:39 PM

Believable to whom? I saw a Superman comic where he converted the round bizarro world to a cube by shoveling off the corners with a big dozer blade he whipped up. This didn't seem to remove any of the bizarro folk from the planet's surface, even though it had all been removed.

So if you're planning on a superman comic, I'd say you're covered.

Other than that... if you really, really, want it, figure out a way to get it.

Hodge · 08-12-2007, 10:40 PM

It's believable if Superman does it because Superman can do anything. Duh.

ClancyBoy · 08-13-2007, 12:05 AM

This is why I hate comic books in general and Superman in particular.

Also Bistromathics kicks the poop out of infinite improbability.

valeca · 08-13-2007, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClancyBoy

Douglas Adams is the least bit believable?

That was my point. It doesn't have to be 'believable' in our reality to work--it depends on what he's writing, how it's approached, and if it makes sense within the context of the story. Time travel and inter-stellar gallivanting aren't possible, either, and yet, we see them in stories all the time.

Rumrunner · 08-13-2007, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hodge:
It's believable if Superman does it because Superman can do anything. Duh.

LMAO, Hodge....

Quote:

Originally posted by Valecia:
It doesn't have to be 'believable' in our reality to work--it depends on what he's writing, how it's approached, and if it makes sense within the context of the story.

I see Valecia's point, and ultimately, I agree. As long as the rules of the "fictional universe" remain self-consistent, I don't have a problem with it. But in a case that clearly contradicts the "laws" of "our" reality, the author needs to be aware that they may potentially alienate some readers. The introduction of humor or satire such as Adams uses is a good shield against that, but it's not for everyone.

Cheers,

Rumrunner

Storm Eagle · 08-13-2007, 12:32 PM

Thanks for all the replies. I will do it anyways, as it is my book and the pivotal storyline piece, but I will try and make it more believeable(somehow

). Thanks for all the replies.