Digging a hole through the earth

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the variation of gravitational acceleration (g) as one moves from the center of the Earth to a height above its surface, under the assumption of constant density throughout the Earth's volume.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between gravitational force and distance from the Earth's center, questioning the validity of derived formulas and the interpretation of variables involved.

Discussion Status

Some participants express confusion regarding the correctness of the gravitational equations presented, while others attempt to clarify the reasoning behind the calculations. There is an ongoing exploration of the implications of changing the Earth's curvature on gravitational effects.

Contextual Notes

Participants are grappling with the definitions of variables in the equations and the physical implications of the assumptions made about Earth's mass distribution and density.

aloshi
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have examined how g varies with distance from the Earth's surface. but how to change g if, instead dig down to the center of the earth?
if we do Start in the center of the Earth (see picture) how will the value of g varies from there to 2r height above the Earth's surface. Suppose that Earth's density is constant throughout the Earth's volume.

http://www.pluggakuten.se/wiki/images/5/5a/Martin.jpg

i do sow:
[tex]M = \rho \cd V = \rho \fr{4\pi r^3}{3}\\ F_1=m\cdot g\\ F_2=G\frac{mM}{r^2}\\ F_1=F_2\rightarrow \\ g=G\frac{M}{r^2}\rightarrow g=G\frac{\fr{\rho 4\pi r^3}{3}}{r^2 }\rightarrow \\ g=G\frac{\rho 4\pi r}{3}[/tex]

but its WRONG,
 
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aloshi said:
have examined how g varies with distance from the Earth's surface. but how to change g if, instead dig down to the center of the earth?
if we do Start in the center of the Earth (see picture) how will the value of g varies from there to 2r height above the Earth's surface. Suppose that Earth's density is constant throughout the Earth's volume.

http://www.pluggakuten.se/wiki/images/5/5a/Martin.jpg

i do sow:
[tex]M = \rho \cd V = \rho \fr{4\pi r^3}{3}\\ F_1=m\cdot g\\ F_2=G\frac{mM}{r^2}\\ F_1=F_2\rightarrow \\ g=G\frac{M}{r^2}\rightarrow g=G\frac{\fr{\rho 4\pi r^3}{3}}{r^2 }\rightarrow \\ g=G\frac{\rho 4\pi r}{3}[/tex]

but its WRONG,
Why do you say it's wrong? It looks correct to me. The gravitational force due to any mass above you is canceled by a corresponding mass in the opposite direction so you only use the mass below you which is [itex](4/3)\pi r^3 \rho[/itex]. Since we can treat that mass as if it were all at the center of the Earth the acceleration is [itex]g= (4/3)\pi r^3 \rho G/ r^2= (4/3)\pi\rho G r[/itex], exactly what you have.
 
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HallsofIvy said:
Why do you say it's wrong? It looks correct to me. The gravitational force due to any mass above you is canceled by a corresponding mass in the opposite direction so you only use the mass below you which is [itex](4/3)\pi r^3 \rho[/itex]. Since we can treat that mass as if it were all at the center of the Earth the acceleration is [itex]g= (4/3)\pi r^3 \rho G/ r^2= (4/3)\pi\rho G r[/itex], exactly what you have.

but what is r? in this formula [itex]g= (4/3)\pi r^3 \rho G/ r^2= (4/3)\pi\rho G r[/itex]
r must be distance between celestial bodies, but in the formula are the r=radius.
 


Now I'm mixing up all sorts of things in each other. What is meant by the change of g instead dig down to the center of the earth?
it means that we have different masses for the Earth?like;
http://www.pluggakuten.se/wiki/images/6/6b/3.JPG

But what happens to gravity when Earth curvature is half instead, see picture below;
http://www.pluggakuten.se/wiki/images/7/75/2.JPG

does I thinking right? sorry, my english is bad
 
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