Why does density increases towards the centre of the earth? Explain why does the density increases towards the centre of the earth? Explain.
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Why is the density of Earth higher at the core
geography
If gravitation decreases as we approach the core and if density is a function of gravity we should expect a void core.
Unless the accretion disk was formed starting with the objects of highest mass available first.
But as soon as the whole planet would have been liquefied the core should have voided according to 1.
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askedAug 30 '16 at 6:34

andrei peri
14●2
editedAug 30 '16 at 7:16

Tactopoda
5,511●2●18●51
You are only talking about matter causing gravity, but are completely forgetting that gravity has an effect as well. – Jan Doggen Aug 30 '16 at 7:58
1
1) is just simply wrong. – Spencer Sep 3 '16 at 16:25
I protest that this is a question about the Earth. It applies to every space object, from galaxies to atoms. What is special about the Earth here? – Little Alien Sep 8 '16 at 8:48
Why do you think the spacial hydrogen clouds collapse into the stars instead of flying apart? You just told us that gravity pushes matter apart. You create the void in the center first. Then, once it is blanked, you get zero gravity in the next inner layer that touches the central emptiness. So, it must be voided as well. Keeping this furnter an further, your process end up with all planet teared apart, all parts expand into space receding from each other. This is a scandalous statement, I would say. What should be the speed of your planetary explosion? – Little AlienSep 8 '16 at 8:50
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3 Answers
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Maybe there is some confusion between weight and density / specific gravity. The weight = mass x acceleration. True, the gravitational attraction is zero at the centre of the earth, but everywhere else there is some gravity acting on a huge density contrast. Also there is the question of incompatibility between siderophile and lithophile elements. During the initial hot phase of planetary formation it wouldn't have taken much gravity to differentiate the two liquid phases. That said, it is possible that some residual non Fe-Ni lighter elements could be lurking within the core - sulphur and hydrogen (as metal hydrides) have been widely cited as possibilities. The main evidence being that the true density, as determined by geophysics, is slightly less than it should be if it it was just nickel-iron (+ a few heavier elements).
To be clear, the attraction is 0, but there is an attraction - it cancels out from all directions. Also note that because the earth is wobbly, with mountains stuck on and trenches cut out - and it's a little squished at the top - which means the "centre" of the earth is not necessarily where you would find 0 g
Pressure
answers the question as posed in the title. Matter deep in the Earth has the weight of all the matter above pressing it down. This postexplains how high that pressure can get.
Although it is true that gravity is zero at a single point at the very center of the Earth, where gravitational vectors completely cancel each other out, it is nevernegative. Nothing is pulling matter away from the center. There can be no void. Premise 1 in the body of the question is simply wrong.
Furthermore, everywhere away from that single point, there is a little bit of gravity left over from the vector sum. The direction of that result vector is always towards the center (given some allowance for the Earth's equatorial bulge).
The micro- (and even zero-) gravity at the center of the earth is more than made up for by the pressure of the entire Earth holding it in place, trying to squeeze it down to a point.
This was true even when the Earth was molten, so the heavier elements tended to sink down to the center. This other post has a thorough explanation as to why.
Now that the Earth has cooled somewhat, pressure deep in the Earth increases local density by forcing liquids (e.g. the liquid outer core) into a solid state (the solid inner core), and then as the pressure increases, solids shift into new, more tightly packed crystal structures
Spencer
1,725●4●18
Community♦
1
It is "science" nominally about the "earth", although the subject might be better suited for Physics Stack Exchange. –
Gravity is a weird force.
All mass has, and is affected by, gravity. That means you, me, your cat, black holes, the sun and the earth.
It also means each little bit of the earth is attracted to every other little bit. So every bit tries to get as close to every other bit as it can.
The shape that these bits form is a sphere - because every bit is as close as it can get to all the other bits.
Why is the density of Earth higher at the core
geography
If gravitation decreases as we approach the core and if density is a function of gravity we should expect a void core.
Unless the accretion disk was formed starting with the objects of highest mass available first.
But as soon as the whole planet would have been liquefied the core should have voided according to 1.
share improve this question
askedAug 30 '16 at 6:34

andrei peri
14●2
editedAug 30 '16 at 7:16

Tactopoda
5,511●2●18●51
You are only talking about matter causing gravity, but are completely forgetting that gravity has an effect as well. – Jan Doggen Aug 30 '16 at 7:58
1
1) is just simply wrong. – Spencer Sep 3 '16 at 16:25
I protest that this is a question about the Earth. It applies to every space object, from galaxies to atoms. What is special about the Earth here? – Little Alien Sep 8 '16 at 8:48
Why do you think the spacial hydrogen clouds collapse into the stars instead of flying apart? You just told us that gravity pushes matter apart. You create the void in the center first. Then, once it is blanked, you get zero gravity in the next inner layer that touches the central emptiness. So, it must be voided as well. Keeping this furnter an further, your process end up with all planet teared apart, all parts expand into space receding from each other. This is a scandalous statement, I would say. What should be the speed of your planetary explosion? – Little AlienSep 8 '16 at 8:50
add a comment
3 Answers
order by active oldest votes
up vote3down vote
Maybe there is some confusion between weight and density / specific gravity. The weight = mass x acceleration. True, the gravitational attraction is zero at the centre of the earth, but everywhere else there is some gravity acting on a huge density contrast. Also there is the question of incompatibility between siderophile and lithophile elements. During the initial hot phase of planetary formation it wouldn't have taken much gravity to differentiate the two liquid phases. That said, it is possible that some residual non Fe-Ni lighter elements could be lurking within the core - sulphur and hydrogen (as metal hydrides) have been widely cited as possibilities. The main evidence being that the true density, as determined by geophysics, is slightly less than it should be if it it was just nickel-iron (+ a few heavier elements).
To be clear, the attraction is 0, but there is an attraction - it cancels out from all directions. Also note that because the earth is wobbly, with mountains stuck on and trenches cut out - and it's a little squished at the top - which means the "centre" of the earth is not necessarily where you would find 0 g
Pressure
answers the question as posed in the title. Matter deep in the Earth has the weight of all the matter above pressing it down. This postexplains how high that pressure can get.
Although it is true that gravity is zero at a single point at the very center of the Earth, where gravitational vectors completely cancel each other out, it is nevernegative. Nothing is pulling matter away from the center. There can be no void. Premise 1 in the body of the question is simply wrong.
Furthermore, everywhere away from that single point, there is a little bit of gravity left over from the vector sum. The direction of that result vector is always towards the center (given some allowance for the Earth's equatorial bulge).
The micro- (and even zero-) gravity at the center of the earth is more than made up for by the pressure of the entire Earth holding it in place, trying to squeeze it down to a point.
This was true even when the Earth was molten, so the heavier elements tended to sink down to the center. This other post has a thorough explanation as to why.
Now that the Earth has cooled somewhat, pressure deep in the Earth increases local density by forcing liquids (e.g. the liquid outer core) into a solid state (the solid inner core), and then as the pressure increases, solids shift into new, more tightly packed crystal structures
Spencer
1,725●4●18
Community♦
1
It is "science" nominally about the "earth", although the subject might be better suited for Physics Stack Exchange. –
Gravity is a weird force.
All mass has, and is affected by, gravity. That means you, me, your cat, black holes, the sun and the earth.
It also means each little bit of the earth is attracted to every other little bit. So every bit tries to get as close to every other bit as it can.
The shape that these bits form is a sphere - because every bit is as close as it can get to all the other bits.
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