What fundamental dynamic aspect of Earth was altered by the Theia impact?
Answer
Rotation rate and axial tilt
The sheer violence of the collision transferred an unimaginable amount of kinetic energy into the proto-Earth system. This profound event fundamentally reshaped the planet's physical orientation and movement within space. Specifically, the impact dramatically altered Earth’s rotation rate, changing how fast the planet spun on its axis. Furthermore, it established the planet's axial tilt, which is the critical factor responsible for creating the distinct seasons that drive much of Earth's climate and subsequent geological and biological evolution.
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What was Theia like? - YouTube
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