Losing gravity for 5 seconds would be catastrophically chaotic, leading to widespread ejection of unanchored objects and potentially fatal physiological effects.
The Immediate Aftermath
- Objects Become Unmoored: Anything not bolted down – people, furniture, cars, even loose soil – would begin to float away from the Earth's surface. The initial velocity would be relatively low, but movement would be inevitable.
- Atmospheric Effects: While 5 seconds seems brief, it's long enough for the atmosphere to expand slightly outwards. While not losing the atmosphere entirely, the sudden change in pressure (and its rapid return) would be intensely disruptive.
- Inner Ear Damage: As mentioned in the reference, the sudden shift in air pressure would likely rupture inner ears in humans and animals.
The Human Experience
- Ejection into the Air: People would float upwards. The extent of upward movement depends on the individual's position at the moment gravity returns. Someone indoors may just bump their head, while someone on a high floor or outside could experience a dangerous fall upon gravity's return.
- Disorientation and Panic: The experience would be incredibly disorienting and terrifying.
Planet Earth and Longer-Term Consequences
- Minor Geological Shifts: While unlikely to cause immediate massive earthquakes, the sudden absence and return of gravity could induce minor tremors and adjustments within the Earth's crust.
- Tidal Disruptions: The absence of gravity would temporarily disrupt tidal forces, though the effect would be minimal over such a short duration.
- Shattered Inner Ears: "But the sudden and sharp drop in air pressure would instantly shatter everyone's inner ears," the reference says. This alone would have long-term debilitating consequences for millions.
Return to Normalcy?
Once gravity returns, everything that floated upwards would fall back down. The severity of the consequences would depend on how high objects and people floated during those five seconds. The sudden impact would cause further damage and injury.
