MadSci Network: Physics
Query:

Subject: Clarification of reason for pressure at Earth's Core

Date: Fri Apr 2 11:13:41 2010
Posted by Jonathan
Grade level: nonaligned School: None
City: Carrollton State/Province: TX Country: United States
Area of science: Physics
ID: 1270232021.Ph
Message:

I used the search Engine and read David Scarboro's explanation that Earth's core is under pressure 
because "The presure (sic) is of course due to the weight of the earth above it".  Intuitively, that doesn't 
seem to make sense.  Why isn't the Earth's weight distributed evenly across it's mass, like say, an 
Orange?  David's answer implies the planet is trying to collapse upon itself, doesn't it?  I understand 
that weight is a force, so is the force due to the Earth's spin?  Or is the force due only to gravity? (in 
which case I assume no one really has an answer to explain the force itself, only it's mechanical 
properties)


Re: Clarification of reason for pressure at Earth's Core

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