Would you be weightless?
Gravity pushes you in all directions. Assuming there is an empty space and you wouldn't burn to death in the core, would you be free floating?
2006-11-12 12:03:10 · 7 answers · asked by Mav here! 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Yes.
In fact there is a very nice relationship that when you are below the surface of the Earth (assuming the Earth is a perfect sphere), your weight is proportional to your radius from the center. E.g. if you were 1/3 of the way to the center (2/3 from the center), you'd weigh 2/3 as much as you do on the surface.
The proof uses a variant of Gauss's law from electromagnetics (because Newton's equation for gravity and Coulomb's equation for charge have the same form). Without delving into advanced calculus, the gravity that affects you depends only on the earth in the sphere below you - everything at your altitude and above cancels out. Since the volume of a sphere is proportional to r^3, but the gravitational force is proportional to 1/r^2, the remaining term is simply r - so your weight is proportional to the radius, if you're inside a sphere.
Of course this assumes that the Earth's weight is distributed evenly. However, it's close enough to even for most purposes.
2006-11-12 12:15:11 · answer #1 · answered by geofft 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think you would feel very heavy and miserable Mav. Even discounting the heat, the sheer force of the magnetic pull in every direction would make you feel immobilized rather than weightless.
I have had some science courses in college. But this is my opinion.
Mav is so cute asking a question like that! Curious little monkey!
2006-11-13 09:19:53 · answer #2 · answered by a_delphic_oracle 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You would be free floating, but the Moon and Sun would pull you just a little tiny bit.
2006-11-12 20:09:18 · answer #3 · answered by spir_i_tual 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Technically, yes. But as they stated above, the sheer magnitude of the mass above you would not protect you from the pressures involved.
2006-11-12 20:46:53 · answer #4 · answered by AdamKadmon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. With your assumptions, and ignoring the pull of the Moon (tidal forces) and the Sun (tidal forces), then yes.
2006-11-12 21:17:26 · answer #5 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
nah - the pressure would squish you like a dragon fly on Ford F150 grille doing 120mph.
2006-11-12 20:11:40 · answer #6 · answered by Madhouse 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
or, would you be crushed by the pressure of being in the exact spot where gravity coverges?
2006-11-12 20:14:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋