- #1
monty37
- 225
- 1
i know this question is in poor taste but still:
is earth's weight constant?
is earth's weight constant?
i know this question is in poor taste but still:
is earth's weight constant?
the force required to hold it at rest
The force of gravity depends on distance, and the earth's distance from other bodies isn't perfectly constant.
I think the earth can lose mass as well as gain it.Light atoms such as hydrogen and helium can reach escape velocity and helium is constantly being injected into the atmosphere as a result of alpha decay, particularly from radon gas.
My thoughts: Hydrogen, helium, or any atom for that matter, that manages to worm itself into the earth's upper atmosphere by it's own does not have the kinetic energy to permanently leave the gravitational influence of our planet.
That is, I seriously doubt that if I were to release hydrogen into the air from my home that any of it would end-up in interstellar space.
But I could be wrong here.