If the polar ice caps melted and flowed toward the equator, the rotation of Earth would tend to
A)decrease in angular speed,
B)be unchanged,
C)increase in angular speed,
With the result that the day would be
D)slightly longer.
E)slightly shorter.
F)unaffected.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The conservation of angular momentum dictates that as mass moves closer to the axis of rotation (in this case, from the poles toward the equator), the angular speed of the rotating body (Earth) would decrease, leading to longer days.

If the Polar Ice Caps Melted and Flowed Toward the Equator