Exact center of the earth

Discussion in 'Earth Science' started by Orleander, Jun 17, 2009.

  1. Orleander OH JOY!!!! Valued Senior Member

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    If I was an indestructible superhero in the exact center of the core of the Earth and I spit, which way would it go?
     
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  3. guthrie paradox generator Registered Senior Member

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    The direction you spat in. Perhaps a slight curve towards the sun.
    I think. I am not a physicist.
     
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  5. Oli Heute der Enteteich... Registered Senior Member

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    As soon as you spit the *cough* projectile (spittle/ phlegm/ sputum) would leave the centre and be travelling at a certain speed and direction into an increasing gravitational field.
    (This is assuming you spat, rather than merely dribbled...

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    So it would continue in that general direction, tending to become more and more "vertical" (normal to the tangent) as the increase in gravity raised its speed toward the inside of the Earth, shedding some speed in the original direction due to air resistance (assuming there's air there, of course).
     
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  7. Orleander OH JOY!!!! Valued Senior Member

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    LOL, I have no idea what you said.
    I never knew there was a gravitational field in the exact center of the earth.
    Thanks!
     
  8. Oli Heute der Enteteich... Registered Senior Member

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    11,888
    Not as such at exact centre*, but there'd be gravity pulling "outwards" toward the inside of the shell.

    * Well yes there is, but at the exact centre it's pulling equally in all directions, so effectively it's cancelled.
     
  9. James R Just this guy, you know? Staff Member

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    In the direction you spat. Assuming there was nothing in the way, it would move away from you in that direction, slow down, stop, then come directly back towards you and hit you in the mouth.
     
  10. Orleander OH JOY!!!! Valued Senior Member

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    It wouldn't spin around my head? Why would it come back to my mouth?
     
  11. Enmos Valued Senior Member

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    Because that's where it belongs.
     
  12. James R Just this guy, you know? Staff Member

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    When you throw a ball straight up, does it go sideways or come straight back down?

    This is the same thing.
     
  13. Orleander OH JOY!!!! Valued Senior Member

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    It comes back down because of gravity. It would do the exact same thing at the center of the planet?
     
  14. James R Just this guy, you know? Staff Member

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    Yes. Gravity points towards the centre of the Earth, even underground.
     

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