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Re: [Phys-l] A ball at the center of a planet



On 10/4/2010 9:43 AM, Fakhruddin, Hasan wrote:
Greetings folks!

Here is a question for your intellectual entertainment:

A solid rubber ball has a radius of r in vacuum at the surface of a planet that is a solid uniform sphere. The ball is now placed in vacuum at the center of the planet. Will the radius of the rubber ball
(a) Increase
(B) Decrease
(C) Stay the same?

Thanks

~ Hasan Fakhruddin
Instructor of Physics
I believe I can respond to a question that is the physics counterpart of angels dancing on pinheads
:-)

If a highly elastic ball forms a perfect sphere at the surface of some planet with appreciable gravity,it would be asymmetrical when transported to some location where the gravity gradient is reduced,
taking a slightly oblate form.

Brian W