Gravitation deep hole physics problem

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the work done when lifting a 1-kg mass from the bottom of a deep hole that reaches half of Earth's radius to the surface. The context is gravitation and involves understanding the forces acting on the mass as it is lifted.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to use the gravitational force expression and integrate it to find the work done. Some participants question the correctness of the force function and suggest considering the mass of Earth interior to the mass being lifted. There are also inquiries about how to compute the volume of the inside section of the hole.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively discussing the correct formulation of the gravitational force and the necessary variables for integration. There is an acknowledgment of the need to consider the mass distribution within the Earth. Some guidance has been provided regarding the volume calculation, but no consensus has been reached on the overall approach.

Contextual Notes

There are mentions of assumptions regarding uniform mass density and the need for clarity on the volume calculation, which may affect the problem setup.

brad sue
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Hi I am stuck with this problem:
A deep hole in Earth reaches a depth of one half of Earth's radius. How much work is done when a 1-kg mass is slowly lifted from the bottom of the hole to Earth's surface?
I use the expression of the gravitation force, F=GMm/R3
so the work would be:
integral (F*(R/2)) from R=R/2 to R=R
I am not sure I am right so I need your input please.
Thank you
Brad
 
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Make sure you include the dependence that M has on r (the integration variable).
 
Your Force function is incorrect.

The Gravitational Force has an INVERSE SQUARE form [tex]F = m \frac{GM}{r^2}[/tex] .
The Force by Gravity will only be due to the mass of Earth that is
INTERIOR to the mass being lifted - presume uniform mass density, that is [tex]M = M_E \frac{V_{inside}}{V_E}[/tex] .
 
Last edited:
lightgrav said:
Your Force function is incorrect.

The Gravitational Force has an INVERSE SQUARE form [tex]F = m \frac{GM}{r^2}[/tex] .
The Force by Gravity will only be due to the mass of Earth that is
INTERIOR to the mass being lifted - presume uniform mass density, that is [tex]M = M_E \frac{V_{inside}}{V_E}[/tex] .

Thank you.
But How can I compute the Vinside? we only have the length nothing else?
B
 
Volume? LxWxH !
Yeah, rxrxr = r^3 , the variable r ,
compared with [tex]R_E^3[/tex] , the maximum R .
 
lightgrav said:
Volume? LxWxH !
Yeah, rxrxr = r^3 , the variable r ,
compared with [tex]R_E^3[/tex] , the maximum R .

OK! I am sorry . sometimes I am a little bit way off!

thank you so much
I can finish this problem now.

B
 

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