67.0k views
3 votes
If someone could dig a safe tunnel through the earth how long would it take to free fall to the center?

If someone could dig a safe tunnel through the earth how long would it take to free-example-1
User Saralynn
by
8.5k points

1 Answer

3 votes

Answer: A scenario often presented to introductory physics classes is that of a "gravity tunnel" — a tube drilled from one side of the Earth to the other through the planet's center. The answer taught for nearly a half-century for how long a fall through such a hole would take was about 42 minutes and 12 seconds.

Explanation: However, solar and lunar gravity, which also perturb orbiting satellites, would eventually pull you into the tunnel wall anyway [source: Darling ]. Strike a chord: Fun fact: A straight line from any point to any other point through the planet would take the same amount of time to fall through like a tunnel through Earth's center.

User Gega
by
9.2k points
Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.

9.4m questions

12.2m answers

Categories