How Much Space Material is Needed to Alter Earth's Gravity?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mapper
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Gravity
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the amount of space material required to measurably alter Earth's gravity. Participants explore the annual influx of space debris and ponder the implications of a significant impact, such as a 50-kilometer object striking Earth. The conversation includes calculations for how much mass would need to be added to produce a detectable change in gravitational force, specifically targeting variations to six decimal places. There is also speculation on the time frame for such changes, questioning whether it would take millions of years or longer. Ultimately, the discussion highlights the complexities of calculating gravitational changes due to mass alterations on Earth.
mapper
Messages
123
Reaction score
0
Apparently we get tons and tons of material dumped yearly onto our planet from space. Just wondering how much would be necessary to affect Earth's gravity so we can see a measurable change and how long that could take? How would you go about figuring/calculating this? Would it be millions of years or longer?

So say a 50 kilometer object were to pound into the earth, although we would surely all perish would something like this effect Earth's gravity to the point of being measurable?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Let's say it "sticks" to the Earth,so that total mass is M_{initial,Earth}+M_{object}.Compute the mass of this object,as to produce a variation of "<g>" to let's say 6-th decimal.Assume mean radius to be the same b4 & after the impact.

Daniel.
 
So I know that electrons are fundamental, there's no 'material' that makes them up, it's like talking about a colour itself rather than a car or a flower. Now protons and neutrons and quarks and whatever other stuff is there fundamentally, I want someone to kind of teach me these, I have a lot of questions that books might not give the answer in the way I understand. Thanks
Back
Top