and a ball is dropped down the hole, what would happen?
2006-12-25 15:46:54 · 13 answers · asked by mynaamynmuil 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
one of the many questions my physics teacher asks, just for fun. there are some great answers out there guys! thanks so much!!!
2006-12-25 17:20:32 · update #1
The ball will oscillate back and fourth from end to end only if the earth is not rotating (or if the hole is drilled from pole to pole.) Since the earth is rotating, the ball will have certain sideways initial velocity equal to the speed of the surface as it moves around. As the ball drops towards the center the sides of the hole will be moving around at slower and slower speeds since they don't have to go as far to complete a rotation. The ball will therefore strike the side of the hole before it gets to the center and this will make its journey much more complex.
2006-12-25 16:48:00 · answer #1 · answered by rethinker 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lyrical came closest.
Assuming no friction and temperature not being a problem, the ball will oscillate back and forth with a period of ~ 84 min. The gravitational attraction beneath the surface of the earth changes from an inverse square relationship to a linear relationship with distance from the center, so it acts exactly like a long spring that's stretched out to the surface from the center. The spring constant is 9.8 N/6376000 m for each kg of mass.
An interesting NB is that the hole doesn't have to be through the center of the earth. As long as it's straight and pierces the surface at 2 points, the period will be the same.
2006-12-26 00:24:28 · answer #2 · answered by Steve 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a very nice question. Depending on the composition of the ball, if might burn to a crisp before it ever reached the center of the earth. If it did not burn, it would melt before it reached the center of the earth, and change its shape as a result, even if it re-formed.
In addition, the molten iron in the outer core of the Earth would ooze into the hole, and block it.
2006-12-26 00:02:07 · answer #3 · answered by Asking&Receiving 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Assuming that the Earth is airless, and the core is not hot...
Contrary to popular belief, the ball will not stop at the center. Because the gravitational force it took to pull the ball to the center will force it to be pushed (in equal magnitude) away from the center as it passes through. The reason why objects stop after being moved is because of air and solid friction. If there is air, then the ball will eventually stop at the core.
2006-12-26 00:11:06 · answer #4 · answered by Lyrical 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Like a pendulum, it would fly through to the middle, pass it by because of inertia, and leap out the other end the same distance you dropped it from, and then fall back in, eventually slowing down more and more until it stops in the center of the Earth. So, yes, you could play intercontinental catch. This assumes you neglect the extreme heat of the Earth's core and such.
2006-12-26 17:13:33 · answer #5 · answered by Wufei 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would melt about a tenth of the way down (as would the drill) as the center of the earth is molten. If you assume a solid cold earth, then the previous answer would be correct.
2006-12-25 23:54:52 · answer #6 · answered by Mike1942f 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Approaching the core, the increase in temperature & pressure would have quite an impact...on the drill, same for the ball.
2006-12-25 23:54:58 · answer #7 · answered by S. B. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the ball will keep falling until it reaches the center of the earth. Thats about as far as you can go
2006-12-25 23:54:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
if it was a hollow hole wihtout the liquid? it would occilate back and forht until it stoped dead at the center. think of a pendilum that moves perfectly straight back and forth
2006-12-25 23:49:39 · answer #9 · answered by xirekaj 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it is under perfect condition, it will be ossinating inside the hole.
2006-12-26 00:18:16 · answer #10 · answered by JAMES 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋