Theoretical Problem About Gravity?

Question

Lets imagine there was a hole that went all the way through the Earth. As gravity pulls us towards the center of the Earth what would happen if I jumped into the hole? Would I stop at the centre of the earth or carry on to the other side. If I were to stop how would I slow down and what would be slowing me?

I hope someone knows the answers!!

Thanks

Answer 1

You would fall and accelerate towards the center of the earth.  Then, as you come onto the other half of the world, instead of falling down you will be "falling up" (like getting shot into the air), decelerating at the same rate you accelerated at when you jumped in.  When you finally reach the other side, you will eventually be brought to a stop in the air and then fall back down again.

Answer 2

As you fell, you would accelerate (get faster) but your rate of acceleration would get less until you reached maximum speed at the centre of the earth at which point you would have an acceleration of zero. Then you would continue onwards, but the gravity would act in the opposite direction slowing you down until you reached zero speed at the other end of the hole, at the surface. If you didn't grab something, you'd then fall back down and repeat this over and over again.