The figure shows not to scale, a cross section through theinterior of Earth. Rather than being uniform throughout, Earth isdivided into three zones: an outercrust,amantle,and an innercore.The dimensions of these zones and the masses contained within them are shown on the figure. Earth has a total mass of5.98×1024kgand a radius of6370km. Ignore rotation and assumethat Earth is spherical. (a) Calculateat the surface. (b) Suppose that a bore hole (theMohole) is driven to the crust–mantle interface at a depth of25.0km; what would be the value ofat the bottom of the hole? (c) Suppose that Earth were a uniform spherewith the same total mass and size. What would be the value ofat a depth of25.0km? (Precise measurements ofare sensitive probes of the interior structure of Earth, although results can be becloud by local variations in mass distribution.)

Short Answer

Expert verified

a) Gravitational acceleration on the surface of earth is9.83 m/s2

b) Gravitational acceleration on bottom of hole is9.84 m/s2

c) Gravitational acceleration at distance 25 km is9.79 m/s2

Step by step solution

01

The given data

i) Mass of the earth is5.98×1024kg

ii) Radius of the earth is6370 km

iii) Mass of the core is1.93×1024 kg

iv) Mass of the crust is 3.94×1022 kg

v) Mass of Mantle is4.01×1024 kg

02

Understanding the concept of gravitational acceleration 

Using the formula for gravitational acceleration in which acceleration depends on mass of the earth and square of distance from surface of the earth, we can find the value of acceleration at different points.

Formula:

Gravitational acceleration, g=GMr2 …(i)

03

(a) Calculation of acceleration at the surface 

Gravitational acceleration on the surface of Earth’s surface using equation (i), we get

g=6.67×1011  Nm2/kg2×5.98×1024  kg6370×103  m2=9.83 m/s2

The gravitational acceleration at the Earth’s surface is9.83 m/s2

04

(b) Calculation of acceleration at the bottom of the hole

At bottom of the hole total mass is,

M=1.93×1024  kg+4.01×1024  kg=5.94×1024 kg

And radiusr=6.345×106m

Using equation (i), the acceleration at the bottom of the hole is:

g=6.67×1011  Nm2/kg2×5.94×1024  kg6.345×1062=9.84 m/s2

The gravitational acceleration at the bottom of the hole is9.84 m/s2

05

(c) Calculation of the gravitational acceleration at 25 km

Mass is uniformly distributed so mass at 25 km, therefore we have radius

R=6.345×106  m

M=R3Re3Me=6.345×106  m36.370×106  m35.98×1024  kg=5.91×1024 kg

So, acceleration is given as:

g=GMr2=6.67×1011  Nm2/kg2×5.91×1024  kg6.345×106  m2=9.79 m/s2

The gravitational acceleration at the bottom of the hole is9.79 m/s2

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