Here’s What Would Happen If Every Planet Doubled In Size

First and foremost, a doubled planetary size would result in a quadrupled surface area (based on formulas for spherical surface area calculation, via CueMath). This enormous change in mass would immediately change the pull of gravity on the human body and on everything else that exists within the Earth’s orbit.

For one thing, the physical weight of our bodies wouldn’t change, but our perception of that weight’s heft would double. Similarly, because of the added atmospheric pressure, the hearts of every living thing on the planet would suddenly have to work twice as hard to pump blood through internal, organic systems. It’s quite possible that, in the same way as an engine or appliance is rated for certain work duration figures, the heart would suddenly be half as effective, shortening the lifespan of all living things by a concurrent 50%.

In addition to the physical and social toll that increased gravitational force would take on humans, creating the force necessary to launch rockets into space would become astronomically more challenging, cutting off the widespread potential to escape this new ever-present prison of weight and bodily overload (via What If).

Another important consideration in this hypothetical is the stability of plant life. Plants provide the oxygen that humans need to survive through the process of photosynthesis. Yet, plants often make use of somewhat flimsy trunk structures that might not hold up to the new atmospheric challenges, further threatening life on the planet.