What would happen if Earth's core where moved? (Gravity)

  • Context: Undergrad 
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the hypothetical scenario of moving mass from the Earth's core and its potential effects on gravity and the Earth's rotation. Participants explore the implications of mass redistribution, particularly in relation to volcanic eruptions and human activities such as drilling.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how the redistribution of mass from the Earth's core would affect gravity and rotation, suggesting a possible relationship between centripetal force and gravity.
  • Another participant argues that eruptions would not expel significant mass beyond the planet, implying that any mass redistribution would not change the total mass of the Earth.
  • A participant humorously suggests stopping plate tectonics as a solution, indicating a light-hearted approach to the discussion.
  • There is a mention of gravity forces inside the Earth, with the idea that matter will always tend to move towards the center of the sphere.
  • One participant proposes that stopping the Earth's rotation would be necessary for the core to move, which would nullify the Coriolis effect.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the implications of mass redistribution, with some questioning the feasibility of significant changes to gravity and rotation, while others explore various hypothetical scenarios. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the actual effects of such mass movements.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the relationships between gravity, mass, and rotation, and there are assumptions made regarding the effects of volcanic eruptions and human activities on the Earth's core.

iminhell
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Quite sure I didn't Google properly, but I'm not well versed so is to be expected. Did find this forum, and have a few times previous to be helpful.

Now what I'm wondering is what would happen if mass from the center/near center of the Earth where moved and dispersed, how would this effect Gravity and the rotation of the Earth?

To apply something tangible to the question; Let's say we use an eruption of Magma from a volcano that has a direct flow path to the core. It erupts 100kg of Magma per second, just to give a number to something. Might this be a means for Earth to 'self regulate' it's rotational speed and gravity? (I am assuming here that there is some relationship to Centripetal Force and Gravity, or that they act similar in that as rotation increases so must the force/mass at the axis center)
If the above is true, might removing mass and dispersing it from man made drillings slow the 'self regulating' process? Say for instance drilling/pumping oil or water.
That is to say, there is a relationship to the amount of mass we take from a central point and disperse to the 'self regulating' of Earth.


As I said, I'm not too smart so don't hold it against me if terms are misused or wrong, and please do correct me so I learn the proper way.


Thanks,

John
 
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Welcome to PF, John. Don't take my word for it, because I'm a high-school drop-out and drunk as well, but... my initial take regarding this situation is that no eruption is going to expel any significant amount of matter beyond the planet. The mass, therefore, however redistributed, is still there. The worst-case scenario that comes to mind is if that redistribution of mass imparts some obnoxious "wobble" to the planet's rotation.
 
stop plate tectonics!
 
Did I just hear someone whisper in the distance? :rolleyes:
 
... As you go further inside the Earth, the force you feel due to gravity ... forces there, matter or the core will always tend to move to the center of the sphere.
 
I guess you would have to stop Earth's rotation first for the core to move
nullifying the Coriolis effect
 

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