[Grammar] 'what if', 'will' and 'would'

[ceyg]

Hello teachers,

I am very glad that there are teachers here who can offer help with grammar.

1. What if the earth stops spinning?
2. What if the earth stopped spinning?


Which sentence looks more natural?
I am under the impression that both are correct but I'm not sure which structure people usually use.


If it is possible to ask 'What if the earth STOPS spinning', then how should we answer the question?

1. It will be destroyed.
2. It would be destroyed.

I'm not sure which one to use to answer the question...Which one is a better match for the question 'What if the earth STOPS spinning?


Thank you for taking your time to answer my questions.

 

[bhaisahab]

Hello teachers,

I am very glad that there are teachers here who can offer help with grammar.

1. What if the earth stops spinning?
2. What if the earth stopped spinning?


Which sentence looks more natural?
I am under the impression that both are correct but I'm not sure which structure people usually use.


If it is possible to ask 'What if the earth STOPS spinning', then how should we answer the question?

1. It will be destroyed.
2. It would be destroyed.

I'm not sure which one to use to answer the question...Which one is a better match for the question 'What if the earth STOPS spinning?


Thank you for taking your time to answer my questions.

"It will be destroyed" is correct. Question 1, IMO, suggests that there is a real possibility of the Earth stopping. Question 2, however, is hypothetical.