Estimating the Critical Size for a Tungsten Projectile to Reach Earth’s Core via Gravity Alone

The Gravity-Driven Tungsten Penetration Hypothesis

The idea of a pointed piece of tungsten self-propelled into the Earth’s core by the sheer force of gravity is a fascinating one that has captured the imagination of many amateur and professional scientists alike. While the concept may seem far-fetched at first glance, a careful examination of the underlying physics reveals that such a phenomenon, while highly improbable, is not entirely impossible.

Tungsten, with its high density and impressive tensile strength, is an intriguing candidate for this hypothetical scenario. Its unique properties make it a material of choice for engineers and scientists exploring the limits of what is physically possible. In this article, we’ll explore the parameters and considerations that would be necessary for a tungsten projectile to potentially reach the Earth’s core.

The role of density and mass

The primary driving force behind the self-propulsion of a tungsten projectile would be its exceptionally high density. Tungsten is one of the densest naturally occurring elements, with a density of approximately 19.25 grams per cubic centimeter. This density, nearly twice that of lead, would provide the gravitational attraction necessary to overcome the immense forces and pressures encountered on the journey to the Earth’s core.

The mass of the tungsten projectile is also a critical factor. The greater the mass, the stronger the gravitational pull, and the more likely the projectile would be able to overcome the various obstacles and resistances it would encounter on its descent. However, the size and weight of the projectile must be carefully balanced, as an overly massive object may encounter structural problems or have difficulty reaching the initial velocity necessary to initiate the self-propulsion process.

Overcoming Geological Obstacles

The Earth’s interior is a complex and challenging environment, with numerous geological features that could impede the progress of a tungsten projectile. From the rigid crust to the viscous mantle to the turbulent outer core, the projectile would have to navigate a treacherous path to reach its final destination.

One of the primary obstacles would be the Earth’s crust, which can vary greatly in thickness and composition. Depending on the point of entry, the projectile may have to penetrate layers of sedimentary, igneous, or metamorphic rock, each of which presents its own unique challenges. The compressive strength and fracture resistance of these materials could significantly slow the projectile’s descent or even cause it to deflect or break apart.

Once the projectile breaks through the crust, it would encounter the mantle, a region of highly viscous, semi-molten rock. This layer, which makes up most of the Earth’s volume, would exert significant drag and friction on the projectile, potentially slowing its progress or even causing it to become stuck. Navigating the complex density and composition gradients within the mantle would be a formidable challenge.

Overcoming the extreme conditions of the Earth’s core

The final and most formidable obstacle facing the tungsten projectile would be the Earth’s core, a region of immense pressure and temperature. Upon reaching the outer core, the projectile would encounter a layer of molten iron and nickel, with temperatures reaching as high as 6,000 degrees Celsius (10,800 degrees Fahrenheit).

The pressures inside the core are also staggering, reaching more than 360 gigapascals (3.6 million atmospheres) at the innermost boundaries. These extreme conditions would put enormous stress on the projectile, potentially causing it to melt, deform, or even vaporize before it could reach the innermost regions of the core.

In addition, the complex and dynamic magnetic fields generated by the churning, electrically conductive outer core could interact with the projectile in unpredictable ways, further complicating its journey and increasing the likelihood of its loss or destruction.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the concept of a pointed piece of tungsten self-propelled into the Earth’s core by gravity alone is an intriguing and challenging proposition. While the underlying physics suggest that such a feat is not entirely impossible, the numerous obstacles and extreme conditions encountered along the way make the successful completion of this hypothetical journey highly unlikely.

Nevertheless, exploring this idea can provide valuable insights into the complex nature of the Earth’s interior and the limits of materials science and engineering. As our understanding of the planet and the universe around us continues to evolve, it is important to keep an open mind and explore even the most seemingly far-fetched ideas, for they may hold the key to opening new frontiers of scientific discovery.

FAQs

Here are 5-7 questions and answers about the question “How big does a pointed piece of tungsten need to be to self-propel into the earths core by gravity alone?”:

How big does a pointed piece of tungsten need to be to self-propel into the earths core by gravity alone?

To self-propel a pointed piece of tungsten into the Earth’s core by gravity alone, the object would need to be extremely large, on the order of millions of metric tons. This is because the gravitational force on an object of that size would need to overcome the immense pressure and density of the materials it would have to pass through as it fell towards the core. Even a piece of tungsten the size of a mountain would likely not have enough gravitational force to overcome these obstacles and reach the core.

What is the minimum size a piece of tungsten would need to be to self-propel into the Earth’s core?

There is no realistically achievable minimum size for a piece of tungsten to self-propel into the Earth’s core. Calculations suggest the object would need to be millions of metric tons to have enough gravitational force to overcome the resistance of the mantle and crust. Even a tungsten asteroid kilometers in diameter would likely not be large enough to make it to the core.

How fast would a self-propelled piece of tungsten travel as it fell towards the Earth’s core?

The speed of a self-propelled piece of tungsten falling towards the Earth’s core would increase dramatically as it approached the center of the planet. At the surface, the object would start off falling at around 9.8 m/s^2 due to gravity. But as it penetrated deeper, the increasing density of the materials would accelerate the object to extremely high speeds, potentially reaching thousands of kilometers per second by the time it reached the outer core.

What forces would act on a self-propelled piece of tungsten as it fell towards the Earth’s core?

The main forces acting on a self-propelled piece of tungsten as it fell towards the Earth’s core would be gravity, air resistance, and the increasing pressure and density of the materials it passed through. Gravity would accelerate the object downwards, while air resistance and the crushing pressure of the mantle and core materials would work to slow and deform the object. Navigating these competing forces would be an immense challenge for any hypothetical self-propelled tungsten projectile.

How much energy would be released if a self-propelled piece of tungsten reached the Earth’s core?

The amount of energy released if a self-propelled piece of tungsten reached the Earth’s core would be enormous, potentially on the scale of a small nuclear explosion. As the object approached the core, its tremendous kinetic energy would be converted to thermal energy upon impact, generating incredibly high temperatures and pressures. This powerful release of energy could potentially cause disruptions to the Earth’s magnetic field and other geological phenomena, though the exact effects would depend on the size and velocity of the impacting object.