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Units And Measurement

Question
CBSEENPH11017674

If the polar ice caps of the earth melt, how will the length of day change?

Solution

When ice melts at poles, water will spread away from poles and hence moment of inertia of the earth will increase. Therefore, the length of the day changes. 

In the absence of an external torque, angular momentum of the system remains conserved. 
therefore space space space space space space space space space space space straight L space equals space I ϖ equals c o n s t a n t
rightwards double arrow space space space space straight I fraction numerator 2 straight pi over denominator straight T end fraction equals c o n s t a n t
rightwards double arrow space space space space space space space space space space space space straight I proportional to straight T
If the moment of inertia increases, the duration of the day will increase.