Object in orbit vs. object falling through a planet

In summary, the gravitational force outside of a sphere is the same as if all the mass was at the centre. The gravitational force inside of a thin hollow sphere is zero.
  • #1
Biker
416
52
If you haven't seen this video before then go watch it :D
Question:

Answer:


It is pretty hard to imagine it as a spring and here is why:
1) At (o) the spring should move by its inertia not by any force. If we look at the planet we can summarize that there are 2 points (As I think) that could have this applied to it. First, At the center of the planet, Everything is balanced out and nothing is affecting on it ( Note: I think he mentioned that the gravity is acting from the closest point to r = 0 So the gravity should be at its maximum?). The second point, is really far off the planet (There is still a little bit of gravity)

2) At any of (A) or (B), The force that is acting on the spring should be as big as possible. Well here isnt.. Let's assume that A and B are on the planet's surface( and you have to assume that if you want to calculate the time that the particle will take to cross the planet to the other side) Well as we can see from Newton law that:

F = G m M/ r^2

Whenever we go away from an object the force becomes less. Also when the particles goes deeper in the planet the force will become bigger and bigger because you are getting close to the center of (Gravity) force.
And that is not simple harmonic motion.. (From what I studied, Maybe I haven't encountered a lot of states of simple harmonic so I just want to understand this problem)..So is there is any other explanation or something I missed out in the video?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Maybe you should spend some more time writing your question so that people who might answer don't have to watch twelve minutes of video just to answer you.
 
  • #3
Vanadium 50 said:
Maybe you should spend some more time writing your question so that people who might answer don't have to watch twelve minutes of video just to answer you.
If you know how to fast forward you will only need 4 mins. Also if write it, It will be a lot boring to read than listen and watch...
 
  • #4
Biker said:
Whenever we go away from an object the force becomes less. Also when the particles goes deeper in the planet the force will become bigger and bigger because you are getting close to the center of (Gravity) force.
This is not right. The only force that's attracting the particle towards the centre of the planet is due to the mass 'beneath its feet'. There is a net attraction of zero from the total mass of the planet that is outside the particle's level. Altogether, that produces a force towards the centre that's proportional to the distance from the centre- =SHM.
 
  • Like
Likes mfb
  • #5
sophiecentaur said:
This is not right. The only force that's attracting the particle towards the centre of the planet is due to the mass 'beneath its feet'. There is a net attraction of zero from the total mass of the planet that is outside the particle's level. Altogether, that produces a force towards the centre that's proportional to the distance from the centre- =SHM.
Oh oh, yeah.. But one thing how there is a net attraction of zero?

What you mean is whenever I go down, I pass some mass(it becomes above me). So it no longer affects on me but what does is what is beneath me.
 
Last edited:
  • #6
Biker said:
Oh oh, yeah.. But one thing how there is a net attraction of zero?

What you mean is whenever I go down, I pass some mass(They become above me). So it no longer affects on me but what does is what is beneath me.

There are two key results that can be proved for gravity:

1) The gravitational force outside a sphere is equivalent to the force if all its mass were at the centre. That's what allows you to use ##F = \frac{GMm}{r^2}## for a planet, where ##M## is the total mass of the planet and ##r## is the distance from its centre. This is true when ##r \ge R##, where ##R## is the radius of the planet.

2) The gravitational force inside a thin hollow sphere is zero.

If you put these two together you find that the gravitational force inside a planet is due only to the mass closer to the centre than you are.

You might want to play about with these equations for a planet of uniform density and see whether you can derive the equation for SHM.
 
  • Like
Likes sophiecentaur
  • #7
Biker said:
Oh oh, yeah.. But one thing how there is a net attraction of zero?

What you mean is whenever I go down, I pass some mass(They become above me). So it no longer affects on me but what does is what is beneath me.
The Shell theorem tells us just that.
There's an arm waving argument to show that it 'could' be true. Sit on a point on a diameter of a spherical shell. Looking at the closer and further surfaces and imagine a narrow cone, projecting discs on both internal surfaces. Their areas are proportional to the distance from it squared and the ISL tells you the force from a disc is inversely proportional to the disance squared. Look in one direction and you see a small disc, close to you and, in the other direction and you see a larger disc that's further away. The area will be bigger but the distance will be greates (squared and 1/squared) so the resulting forces will balance.

If the planet is uniform density, the oscillation period would be the same for all starting heights (and for all diameters of planet. The period of oscillation for the Earth is about 90 minutes. You have to assume the Earth has uniform density (which it doesn't - but never mind). Also ignore the vast pressures and temperatures inside and the spin problem. You could take an asteroid of the same material (or even a small spherical rock) with a hole through it and drop a pebble through a hole through it and you would get the same 90 minute oscillation period.
 
  • #8
I guess that is a bit much for me...
The best I could imagine that the force becomes lower and lower because the mass behind you pulls so it the decreases the net of the force...
Thanks so much for the help. I search a little bit about this topic.
 

1. What is the difference between an object in orbit and an object falling through a planet?

An object in orbit is constantly moving around a planet due to the balance between its forward motion and the planet's gravitational pull. On the other hand, an object falling through a planet is constantly accelerating towards the planet's center due to the force of gravity.

2. How does the speed of an object in orbit compare to the speed of an object falling through a planet?

The speed of an object in orbit is much greater than the speed of an object falling through a planet. This is because an object in orbit is constantly moving forward and its speed is balanced by the gravitational pull of the planet. In contrast, an object falling through a planet only gains speed as it accelerates towards the planet's center.

3. Is the path of an object in orbit circular or elliptical?

The path of an object in orbit can be either circular or elliptical, depending on the specific conditions of the orbit. A circular orbit occurs when the object's speed is perfectly balanced by the planet's gravitational pull, resulting in a constant distance between the object and the planet. An elliptical orbit occurs when the object's speed and the planet's gravitational pull are not perfectly balanced, resulting in a varying distance between the object and the planet.

4. Can an object in orbit eventually fall through a planet?

No, an object in orbit cannot fall through a planet. As long as the object maintains its speed and the planet's gravitational pull remains constant, the object will continue to orbit the planet. However, if the object's speed decreases or the planet's gravitational pull increases, the object's orbit may become unstable and it may eventually crash into the planet.

5. What factors affect the stability of an object in orbit?

The stability of an object in orbit can be affected by several factors, including the object's speed, the planet's mass and size, and the distance between the object and the planet. Additionally, external forces such as the gravitational pull of other objects or atmospheric drag can also impact the stability of an object in orbit.

Similar threads

Replies
11
Views
1K
Replies
30
Views
4K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
538
Replies
29
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
696
Replies
22
Views
1K
  • Mechanics
Replies
19
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
835
Replies
2
Views
802
Back
Top