| MadSci Network: Physics |
No, as far as we can quantify the effects. The loss of mass due the fossil fuel consumed over the years is too small in comparison with the total mass of the planet. And remember that every day 5 thousand to 500 thousand kg of extraterrestrial dust is arriving our planet (See Thompson, Tim: Meteorite Dust and the Age of the Earth for more details about that), that can counteract this loss of mass. Best regards Eder C. Molina Dept. of Geophysics Institute of Geophysics, Astronomy and Atmospheric Sciences University of Sao Paulo Brazil Moderator Note: Also, the mass of the fossil fuels extracted and burned is not gone; it's still present (as carbon dioxide and carbonate minerals and water). And the difference in distance from the earth's center doesn't throw things off either, because (a) it's too small and (b) it averages out. -- Daniel J. Berger, MadSci Moderator.
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