Anchor a tube on earth and slope it all the way into space

AI Thread Summary
Anchoring a tube from Earth into space would result in a long structure extending into the atmosphere, but no air flow would occur due to gravity balancing the pressure difference. The concept aligns with the principles behind a space elevator, which requires precise engineering to function effectively. While there have been theories and discussions surrounding this idea, practical experiments remain limited. The conversation highlights interest in the potential of materials like nanotubes for future space elevator construction. Overall, the feasibility of such a structure is intriguing but currently theoretical.
fileerror404
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
All right, I know I'll make an azz of myself with all the big brains around but I have to know. (My physics knowledge is at a high school level so please forgive my ignorance)

I we were to anchor a tube on Earth and slope it all the way into space, would anything happen? Has there been experiments? Theories?

Just my stoner brain I guess :)

Thanks guys!
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org


The only thing that would happen is that you'd have a very long tube sticking out of the atmosphere. There would be no flow of air through the tube for the same reson that the atmosphere doesn't blow away into space: gravity. The pressure difference between the top and the bottom is exactly offset by the force of of gravity so the net flow is zero.
 


Thanks a lot neg. Makes a lot of sense (even to me) :-p

Great link, ideasr. Go nanotubes...want to see that elevator built in my lifetime.
 

Thread 'Potential biosignature found in Mars rock'

Publication: Redox-driven mineral and organic associations in Jezero Crater, Mars Article: NASA Says Mars Rover Discovered Potential Biosignature Last Year Press conference The ~100 authors don't find a good way this could have formed without life, but also can't rule it out. Now that they have shared their findings with the larger community someone else might find an explanation - or maybe it was actually made by life.
View full post »

Thread 'Does it make sense to build new radio telescopes?'

TL;DR Summary: In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect alien signals, it will further expand the radius of the so-called silence (or rather, radio silence) of the Universe. Is there any sense in this or is blissful ignorance better? In 3 years, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope (or rather, a system of telescopes) should be put into operation. In case of failure to detect...
View full post »

Thread 'Our Beautiful Universe - Photos and Videos'

This thread is dedicated to the beauty and awesomeness of our Universe. If you feel like it, please share video clips and photos (or nice animations) of space and objects in space in this thread. Your posts, clips and photos may by all means include scientific information; that does not make it less beautiful to me (n.b. the posts must of course comply with the PF guidelines, i.e. regarding science, only mainstream science is allowed, fringe/pseudoscience is not allowed). n.b. I start this...
View full post »

Similar threads

B Considering a budget observatory
Replies
10
Views
2K
I Determining Relative Position of Space Object to Earth
Replies
3
Views
2K
I Measuring difference in Exercising in a Flat Surface vs one with Slope
Replies
5
Views
1K
I Revolutionize Space Travel with Innovative Vacuum Launch Method
Replies
10
Views
2K
Simple overestimate of slope uncertainty in regression
Replies
11
Views
4K
B Dark Energy: Are We All Missing The Obvious?
Replies
4
Views
2K
B Questions about the lifespan of the Earth
Replies
5
Views
2K
B Distance of Stars / Size of the Universe calculation
Replies
6
Views
3K
B Could singularities be just rips in the space-time fabric?
Replies
23
Views
5K
Flow of air through an open tube with a balloon
Replies
9
Views
4K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top