this post was submitted on 27 Aug 2024
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spending an eternity falling isn't too attractive an idea for most. Each their own though!
The Earth is not infinite though. If the walls are smooth and indestructible and there is no air resistance, you'd reach the other side in about 40 minutes and briefly stop, allowing you to climb out on the other side with some agility.
Gravity says you get stuck somewhere in the middle.
Only with friction. Without it you'll build exactly enough speed on your fall to the center of gravity that it carries you out to the same distance on the other side.
Think a swing on the playground. If you're high up and swing down you build up speed and that speed carries you up again, just that due to friction you have to input energy to keep going up to the same height.
Fun story: my dad built a swing for my niece recently and the friction was very low. When i tested it, i was swinging standing up and because almost no friction slowed me down I was unable to stop and got quite scared. I had to sit down while swinging and put my feet on the ground to break.
If there's no air (=friction) in the tube you're also dead
That begs the question, would you go head first for style on entry, but a lamer disembark, it would you go feet first for a lamer entry but a far crazier disembark?
The temperature of the Earth's core is ~6,000°c, so make sure you dress lightly and stay hydrated.