Reference no: EM13336825
A very narrow hole is drilled all the way through the Earth (through its center) and evacuated (i.e. there is neither air resistance nor friction). A small object of mass m is dropped into the hole at the surface.
a) Describe its motion qualitatively. The Earth has radius 6375 km. Assume that the Earth has uniform density, and state any other assumptions you choose to make. (Hint: Make sure your answer makes physical sense).
b) Does the force an object experiences near the surface of the Earth need to be continuous as it passes from above to beneath the surface? YES NO
c) Does the gravitational potential energy an object experiences near the surface of the Earth need to be continuous as it passes from above to beneath the surface? YES NO
d) What is the force on the object for points within the tube (r < R E )? (Express your answer with a constant, C, and a power, n, of the radial distance from the center, r, i.e. F = Cr n )
e) How long does it take to return to its starting point?
f) What is the gravitational potential energy for points within the Earth (r < R E )?
g) What is the gravitational potential energy at the center of the Earth?
h) What is the speed of the mass at the center of the Earth?