This tunnel runs from one point on the Earth to its opposite point on the other side of the Earth, directly through the center of the planet. I want to know what effects gravity will have on the item. After a while, due to the effects of friction on the item caused by air, I imagine the item would be slowed to a stop. Would it then just float in the middle of the planet in this tunnel? Would it implode on itself due to some weird trick of gravity? The mind boggles...
2007-03-29 01:55:10 · 6 answers · asked by burningranger04 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
If this impossible tunnel ever came to be, everything you throw in it it will stop at the center.
2007-03-29 01:59:56 · answer #1 · answered by Kimon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will travel back and forth eventually coming to a halt at the center due to friction. This friction will be due to both the air and rubbing on the sides of the hole. Rubbing on the sides of the hole is due to the earth's rotation and change in the lateral velocity of the circular rotation as the radius changes.
.
2007-03-29 02:25:09 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Things will not stop at the center immediately. Assuming no air resistance, it will go all the way to the other sicde of the earth and then come back to where it started forever. If you throw in air resistance, it will oscillate for a long time and eventually stop at the center
2007-03-29 02:08:29 · answer #3 · answered by Gene 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you throw an object down the tunnel, the devil will eat it. Don't feed the devils.
No, really, it would just float in the middle of the earth. Good question. Thought of that one as a little kid.
2007-03-29 03:50:37 · answer #4 · answered by joshnya68 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The object would bob along the centre of the earth. (The acceleration due to gravity at the centre of the earth is zero.)
2007-03-29 02:46:44 · answer #5 · answered by Raider 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It stays in the center....
2007-03-29 02:02:25 · answer #6 · answered by steelerspride24 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋