AskPhysics

450 readers

3 users here now

founded 1 year ago

MODERATORS

If I got big enough that Earth could fit in the palm on my hand, could I destroy it by squeezing it very hard? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) by Confidant6198@lemmy.ml to c/askphysics@lemmy.world

17 comments fedilink hide all child comments

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 8 points 4 months ago (3 children)

Very well explained.

I think a more interesting question might be: If the Earth were scaled down, could OP destroy it by squeezing it with their hand?

[–] Sludgehammer@lemmy.world 6 points 4 months ago

If the Earth were scaled down, could OP destroy it by squeezing it with their hand?

So like a Earth shaped ball made up of the same things as the Earth?

If it were at the same temperature as Earth's components it'd simply explode since the core of the Earth is well above irons boiling point and is only kept solid and liquid by the pressure. If the ball were cold then no, it'd be a rock. I suppose if the scaled down Earth model were made from roughly analogous materials (iron cored ball of lava with a very thin rock shell) then you could probably crush it quite easily... although you'd basically holding a ball of lava so you'd act quickly to finish crushing it before your hand burned off.

[–] AThing4String@sh.itjust.works 4 points 4 months ago

This is probably more in the spirit of the OPs question I think.

[–] lath@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago (1 children)

The core is metal, so no.

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 2 points 4 months ago

The outer core is liquid though. If you could crack through the crust and mantle, liquid would squoosh out.