Fundamentals of Physics Extended (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1-11823-072-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-11823-072-5

Chapter 13 - Gravitation - Problems - Page 385: 98

Answer

$$t=\pi\sqrt{\frac{R}{g}}\approx31\;min\;44\;sec$$

Work Step by Step

Here we can find that the distance between train and the center of the earth is $d$ as shown in the image. Now the gravitational force, $F_{total} = G\frac{Mmd}{R^3}\;$[M is the mass of earth and m is the mass of the train] Now the x-component of the force will accelarate the train. So, the force: $$F = G\frac{Mmd}{R^3}sin\theta\\ or, F= G\frac{Mmd}{R^3}\frac{l}{d}\\ or, F = G\frac{Mm}{R^3}l = \frac{gml}{R}$$ Here g is the gravitational constant. So it will cause an simple harmonic motion. So the total time of travel, $$t = \frac{T}{2}=\frac{1}{2f}= \frac{\pi}{\omega} = \pi \sqrt{\frac{mR}{gm}} = \pi\sqrt{\frac{R}{g}}\approx31\;min\;44\;sec$$
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