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What is the gravitational field inside a hollow sphere ? How does it hold for an

ID: 2236603 • Letter: W

Question

What is the gravitational field inside a hollow sphere ? How does it hold for any point in the sphere ? if you are closer to another side, why doesn't it attract more strongly ? does the result still hold if a really large mass like a spaceship approaches and stops just outside the spherical shell ? what happens to the gravitational field inside of the sphere if someone cuts a hole in its side ? why do so many depictions of space stations show people inside enjoying a gravitational field identical to that on earth? how is that arranged ?

Explanation / Answer

Gravity cancels out for all points inside a hollow spherical shell. It's because the pull from every direction is exactly the same. This is obvious from the center, but as you move to one side, you're closer to that side, which increases its pull, but this is exactly offset by the fact that there's now MORE mass on the other side.... see this : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell_theorem ......................The result will still hold good even if you take a spaceship or whatever you wish into account..............If a hole is cut......it is obvious that the overall pull will decrease....however...the pull generated will also be a non-uniform one in this case...i think you can understand why.. :) ......................................about the space thing?....Maybe Artificial Gravity but i don't know about it for sure as far as I know it hasn't been attained in massive amount (to act for an entire space station)until now.... sorry... :P .......................... However...... I think you are talking about a Centrifuge..................... While it is theoretically possible to create a gravitational field, there is little evidence that we will be able to do so on a large enough scale to create artificial gravity on a spaceship. Of course, with advances in technology and a better understanding of the nature of gravity, this may change in the future. But for now, it seems that using a centrifuge is the most readily available technology for simulating gravity. Though not ideal, it could pave the way for safer space travel in zero gravtiy environments.

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