What is the approximate pressure at the center of a cool Earth with no gravity?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The atmospheric pressure at the center of a cool Earth, where gravity is zero, is expected to be minimal. The basic barometric formula, P(h) = Pzero x exp(-mgh/kT), indicates that pressure decreases with height due to the gravitational force. Since gravity (g) approaches zero at the Earth's center, the pressure would not be significantly high, contrary to the belief that pressure remains substantial due to depth. The discussion highlights the need for a mathematical model to accurately estimate this pressure.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the barometric formula and its components
  • Knowledge of gravitational force and its variation with depth
  • Familiarity with the concepts of pressure and temperature in physics
  • Basic mathematical skills for deriving functions
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the derivation of pressure functions in varying gravitational fields
  • Explore the implications of the ideal gas law in extreme conditions
  • Study the effects of temperature on gas pressure at different depths
  • Investigate existing models of Earth's internal pressure distribution
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, geophysicists, students studying atmospheric science, and anyone interested in the effects of gravity on pressure within planetary bodies.

SteveUSA
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
The basic barometric formula for calculating atmospheric pressure is (Ph: pressure at height h) = (Pzero: pressure at height zero) x exp(-mgh/kT), where the height h unit is meters, P unit is pascals, m is the mass of an average "air" molecule, g is the acceleration of gravity, k is the Boltzmann constant, and T is the temperature in kelvins. Acceleration of gravity g drops off with altitude, but not by much, so treating it as constant is a good approximation.

I was arguing with a friend about the atmospheric pressure at the center of a cool Earth (no heat at the core) if a hole were drilled through it along the axis of rotation and open so air in the tube is connected to air above the surface. The acceleration of gravity decreases to zero at the center, since only the sphere below a random point (located between surface and center) contributes to the gravitational force. With g = 0 at the center, the pressure would be small. The friend says that's nonsense, that the pressure only a couple of hundred kilometers down would be super high and that would keep the pressure at the center really high. Neither of us has the mathematical acumen necessary to get beyond hand-waving.

Has anyone seen, or is brilliant enough to derive, a function that would give us an idea of what the approximate pressure would be at the center?
 
Physics news on Phys.org

Similar threads

  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
5K
  • · Replies 50 ·
2
Replies
50
Views
5K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
21K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
11K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K