What Happens If You Jump Into a Hole Drilled Through the Earth?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around a hypothetical scenario involving a hole drilled through the Earth and the consequences of jumping into it. Participants explore the theoretical implications of gravity, motion, and the effects of various limiting factors, such as air resistance.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions what would happen if a person jumped into a tunnel drilled through the Earth, considering a scenario without limiting factors like heat or tunnel collapse.
  • Another participant suggests that without friction, the jumper would gain significant momentum and continue moving past the center of the Earth.
  • A different viewpoint proposes that the jumper would exhibit damped simple harmonic motion, oscillating between the poles while gradually slowing down due to air friction.
  • A humorous remark is made about the need for someone to catch the jumper at the south pole.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present differing views on the jumper's motion, with some suggesting continuous motion and others proposing oscillation. No consensus is reached regarding the final outcome of the jump.

Contextual Notes

The discussion assumes a simplified model of the Earth and does not address the complexities of real-world physics, such as the Earth's varying density and gravitational field.

Cowkilla
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Science question: need some help!

I have a question that's been bugging me for ages:

If someone were to drill a hole through the Earth and jump into it. Let say the tunnel spans from the North to South, and we ignore the limiting factors, such as the extreme heat and the hole won't collapse and there is sufficient oxygen, what will happen?

I remember reading it from the Popular Science magazine (June 2005) and I really need to know what will happen, because I forgot the answer and why! Will the guy just pass through the tunnel and end up on the other side, or will he go through the tunnel and stop at the center of the Earth as a result of gravity? :confused:
 
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Without friction or other "limiting factors" the jumper will have acquired rather significant momentum by the time he reaches the center of the Earth and will simply keep on going.
 
He will display damped simple harmonic motion. He will oscillate between the north pole and south pole, gradually slowing down due to air friction and so on.

- Warren
 
Unless someone is waiting at the south pole to catch him, of course...
 

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