If the Earth were to lose its velocity suddenly, it would start to fall toward the Sun due to the Sun's gravitational pull. However, the exact speed at which the Earth would hit the Sun would depend on a variety of factors, including the initial velocity, the distance from the Earth to the Sun, and the gravitational force between the two bodies.
To provide a rough estimate, let's consider some basic values:
- Distance from the Earth to the Sun (average): Approximately 149.6 million kilometers (93 million miles).
- Gravitational acceleration due to the Sun's pull at the Earth's distance (average): Approximately 9.8 m/s².
If the Earth were to suddenly lose its orbital velocity, it would start to fall directly toward the Sun. Assuming there are no other forces acting on the Earth, it would accelerate under the influence of the Sun's gravitational force. The exact speed at which it would hit the Sun would depend on the initial distance, acceleration, and time.
However, it's important to note that in reality, the Earth would not collide with the Sun due to the presence of other factors. The Earth's orbital motion around the Sun is primarily governed by the balance between the Sun's gravitational pull and the Earth's centrifugal force. The Earth's velocity is precisely what allows it to maintain a stable orbit around the Sun.
If, hypothetically, the Earth were to lose its velocity in a way that it started to fall toward the Sun, other factors such as the Earth's atmosphere, tidal forces, and the Sun's size and structure would come into play, altering the trajectory and outcome. These factors make it impossible to provide an accurate prediction of the exact speed at which the Earth would hit the Sun under such circumstances.