<h2>Pressure</h2>
<p>answers the question as posed in the title. (The assertions in the question body are just too preposterous to address.) Matter deep in the Earth has the weight of all the matter above pressing it down. <a href="https://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/184032/what-is-the-pressure-at-the-center-of-the-earth-or-a-neutron-star">This post</a> explains how high that pressure can get.</p>
<p>Although it is true that gravity is zero at a single point at the very center of the Earth, where gravitational vectors completely cancel each other out, it is <em>never</em> negative.  Nothing is pulling matter away from the center. There can be no void. Premise 1 in the body of the question is simply wrong.</p>
<p>Furthermore, everywhere away from that single point, there is a little bit of gravity left over from the vector sum.  The direction of that result vector is always towards the center (given some allowance for the Earth's equatorial bulge).</p>
<p>The micro- (and even zero-) gravity at the center of the earth is more than made up for by the pressure of the entire Earth holding it in place, trying to squeeze it down to a point.</p>
<p>This was true even when the Earth was molten, so the heavier elements tended to  sink down to the center. <a href="https://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/165526/if-the-gravity-at-the-center-of-the-earth-is-zero-why-are-heavy-elements-like-i">This other post</a> has a thorough explanation as to why.</p>
<p>Now that the Earth has cooled somewhat, pressure deep in the Earth increases local density by forcing liquids (e.g. the liquid outer core) into a solid state (the solid inner core), and then as the pressure increases, solids shift into new, more tightly packed crystal structures.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2016-09-08T03:15:50.387Z
2022-05-24T19:16:36.527Z
2022-05-24T19:16:36.527Z
Spencer
<p>Gravity is a weird force.</p>

<p>All mass has, and is affected by, gravity. That means you, me, your cat, black holes, the sun and the earth.</p>

<p>It also means each little bit of the earth is attracted to every other little bit. So every bit tries to get as close to every other bit as it can.</p>

<p>The shape that these bits form is a sphere - because every bit is as close as it can get to all the other bits.</p>

<p>Now you are right - an earth which is matter all the way through would attract in the same way as one which had all the mass concentrated around the edge. But we know that the centre isn't hollow for two reasons:</p>

<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/coolinsights/5127279893" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/y3OVIm.png" alt="enter image description here"></a>
<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ADBC_Branch_in_BeiChuan_after_earthquake.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/VyY14m.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>Volcanoes and Earthquakes. Volcanoes erupt liquid rock from the ground, which shows that there is something down there. And we know that there is something because we feel the shaking from earthquakes on the other side on the earth - and we can map the layers of solid and liquid from these.</p>

<blockquote>
  <ol>
  <li>If gravitation decreases as we approach the core and if density is a function of gravity we should expect a void core.</li>
  </ol>
</blockquote>

<p>No, because every bit wants to be close to <em>every other bit</em>. It doesn't just want to be near the bits on it's side, it wants to be near the ones on the other side, and so the "void" would close.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Why is the density of Earth higher at the core?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>The denser stuff sinks. This is how it works everywhere that gravity applies. We can explain why.</p>

<p>The denser objects have more gravity than the less dense objects. This means all the objects are attracted to the more dense objects more than they are the less dense objects. Here, red is more dense.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/YSW7Dm.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/YSW7Dm.png" alt=""></a> <a href="https://i.sstatic.net/f7Mx8m.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/f7Mx8m.png" alt=""></a></p>

<p>But the ones over the other side, are also attracted to that dense object, so this happens:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/EMbL1m.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/EMbL1m.png" alt=""></a></p>

<p>Eventually, you end up with all the less dense objects surrounding the more dense object, as they try to be as close as they can to it. But the more dense objects are attracted <em>more</em> to the other dense objects (as they both have more mass). This means all the dense objects clump together, surrounded by the less dense ones.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/3AKUY.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/3AKUY.png" alt=""></a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-14T16:12:31.263Z
Good answer, except for two things: Volcanoes by themselves do not prove that the core is not a void, they are not fed from these depths. And while it is true that the structure of the core can be derived with the help of earthquakes, it is not necessarily true that a seismic wave that arrives at the other side of the Earth has traveled through the core.
ye-ti-800
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-14T16:17:04.510Z
@djun No, but some of them will have done.
Tim
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-14T16:27:51.453Z
yes, this is true. But even this by itself may not be enough to prove that the core is not a void. My point is, if you want to use this as an example you should elaborate a bit, or just mention the complications and provide a link to an external source with explanations. Best to drop this part altogether though, it is not part of the question
ye-ti-800
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-07-11T02:16:15.253Z
The only objection I have is that if the Earth were made of a homogeneous material, the center would still be denser due to pressure.
Spencer
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-08T04:13:15.813Z
2016-09-08T04:13:15.813Z
Tim
<p>Maybe there is some confusion between weight and density / specific gravity. The weight = mass x acceleration. True, the gravitational attraction is zero at the centre of the earth, but everywhere else there is some gravity acting on a huge density contrast. Also there is the question of incompatibility between siderophile and lithophile elements. During the initial hot phase of planetary formation it wouldn't have taken much gravity to differentiate the two liquid phases.
That said, it is possible that some residual non Fe-Ni lighter elements could be lurking within the core - sulphur and hydrogen (as metal hydrides) have been widely cited as possibilities. The main evidence being that the true density, as determined by geophysics, is slightly less than it should be if it it was just nickel-iron (+ a few heavier elements). </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-08T03:45:55.773Z
To be clear, the attraction is 0, but there is an attraction - it cancels out from all directions. Also note that because the earth is wobbly, with mountains stuck on and trenches cut out - and it's a little squished at the top - which means the "centre" of the earth is not necessarily where you would find 0 g.
Tim
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-30T08:01:48.593Z
2016-08-30T08:01:48.593Z
Gordon Stanger
<ol>
<li><p>If gravitation decreases as we approach the core and if density is a function of gravity we should expect a void core.</p></li>
<li><p>Unless the accretion disk was formed starting with the objects of highest mass available first.</p></li>
<li><p>But as soon as the whole planet would have been liquefied the core should have voided according to 1.</p></li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-08-30T07:58:58.320Z
You are only talking about matter causing gravity, but are completely forgetting that gravity has an *effect* as well.
Jan Doggen
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-03T16:25:51.763Z
1) is just simply wrong.
Spencer
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-08T08:48:47.310Z
I protest that this is a question about the Earth. It applies to every space object, from galaxies to atoms. What is special about the Earth here?
Little Alien
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-08T08:50:34.540Z
Why do you think the spacial hydrogen clouds collapse into the stars instead of flying apart? You just told us that gravity pushes matter apart. You create the void in the center first. Then, once it is blanked, you get zero gravity in the next inner layer that touches the central emptiness. So, it must be voided as well. Keeping this furnter an further, your process end up with all planet teared apart, all parts expand into space receding from each other. This is a scandalous statement, I would say. What should be the speed of your planetary explosion?
Little Alien
<geophysics>
Why is the density of Earth higher at the core
andrei peri
# Why is the density of Earth higher at the core

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-08-30)

1. If gravitation decreases as we approach the core and if density is a function of gravity we should expect a void core.
2. Unless the accretion disk was formed starting with the objects of highest mass available first.
3. But as soon as the whole planet would have been liquefied the core should have voided according to 1.

**Tags:** geophysics

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: You are only talking about matter causing gravity, but are completely forgetting that gravity has an *effect* as well.  
> **username_2**: 1) is just simply wrong.  
> **username_3**: I protest that this is a question about the Earth. It applies to every space object, from galaxies to atoms. What is special about the Earth here?  
> **username_3**: Why do you think the spacial hydrogen clouds collapse into the stars instead of flying apart? You just told us that gravity pushes matter apart. You create the void in the center first. Then, once it is blanked, you get zero gravity in the next inner layer that touches the central emptiness. So, it must be voided as well. Keeping this furnter an further, your process end up with all planet teared apart, all parts expand into space receding from each other. This is a scandalous statement, I would say. What should be the speed of your planetary explosion?  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-09-08. Score: 6

## Pressure

answers the question as posed in the title. (The assertions in the question body are just too preposterous to address.) Matter deep in the Earth has the weight of all the matter above pressing it down. [This post](https://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/184032/what-is-the-pressure-at-the-center-of-the-earth-or-a-neutron-star) explains how high that pressure can get.

Although it is true that gravity is zero at a single point at the very center of the Earth, where gravitational vectors completely cancel each other out, it is *never* negative. Nothing is pulling matter away from the center. There can be no void. Premise 1 in the body of the question is simply wrong.

Furthermore, everywhere away from that single point, there is a username_3 bit of gravity left over from the vector sum. The direction of that result vector is always towards the center (given some allowance for the Earth's equatorial bulge).

The micro- (and even zero-) gravity at the center of the earth is more than made up for by the pressure of the entire Earth holding it in place, trying to squeeze it down to a point.

This was true even when the Earth was molten, so the heavier elements tended to sink down to the center. [This other post](https://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/165526/if-the-gravity-at-the-center-of-the-earth-is-zero-why-are-heavy-elements-like-i) has a thorough explanation as to why.

Now that the Earth has cooled somewhat, pressure deep in the Earth increases local density by forcing liquids (e.g. the liquid outer core) into a solid state (the solid inner core), and then as the pressure increases, solids shift into new, more tightly packed crystal structures.


---

### Answer by username_4 on 2016-09-08. Score: 5

Gravity is a weird force.

All mass has, and is affected by, gravity. That means you, me, your cat, black holes, the sun and the earth.

It also means each username_3 bit of the earth is attracted to every other username_3 bit. So every bit tries to get as close to every other bit as it can.

The shape that these bits form is a sphere - because every bit is as close as it can get to all the other bits.

Now you are right - an earth which is matter all the way through would attract in the same way as one which had all the mass concentrated around the edge. But we know that the centre isn't hollow for two reasons:

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/y3OVIm.png)](https://www.flickr.com/photos/coolinsights/5127279893)
[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/VyY14m.jpg)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ADBC_Branch_in_BeiChuan_after_earthquake.jpg)

Volcanoes and Earthquakes. Volcanoes erupt liquid rock from the ground, which shows that there is something down there. And we know that there is something because we feel the shaking from earthquakes on the other side on the earth - and we can map the layers of solid and liquid from these.

> 1. If gravitation decreases as we approach the core and if density is a function of gravity we should expect a void core.

No, because every bit wants to be close to *every other bit*. It doesn't just want to be near the bits on it's side, it wants to be near the ones on the other side, and so the "void" would close.

> Why is the density of Earth higher at the core?

The denser stuff sinks. This is how it works everywhere that gravity applies. We can explain why.

The denser objects have more gravity than the less dense objects. This means all the objects are attracted to the more dense objects more than they are the less dense objects. Here, red is more dense.

[![](https://i.sstatic.net/YSW7Dm.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/YSW7Dm.png) [![](https://i.sstatic.net/f7Mx8m.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/f7Mx8m.png)

But the ones over the other side, are also attracted to that dense object, so this happens:

[![](https://i.sstatic.net/EMbL1m.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/EMbL1m.png)

Eventually, you end up with all the less dense objects surrounding the more dense object, as they try to be as close as they can to it. But the more dense objects are attracted *more* to the other dense objects (as they both have more mass). This means all the dense objects clump together, surrounded by the less dense ones.

[![](https://i.sstatic.net/3AKUY.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/3AKUY.png)

> **Comments:**
> **username_5**: Good answer, except for two things: Volcanoes by themselves do not prove that the core is not a void, they are not fed from these depths. And while it is true that the structure of the core can be derived with the help of earthquakes, it is not necessarily true that a seismic wave that arrives at the other side of the Earth has traveled through the core.  
> **username_4**: @djun No, but some of them will have done.  
> **username_5**: yes, this is true. But even this by itself may not be enough to prove that the core is not a void. My point is, if you want to use this as an example you should elaborate a bit, or just mention the complications and provide a link to an external source with explanations. Best to drop this part altogether though, it is not part of the question  
> **username_2**: The only objection I have is that if the Earth were made of a homogeneous material, the center would still be denser due to pressure.  

---

### Answer by username_6 on 2016-08-30. Score: 4

Maybe there is some confusion between weight and density / specific gravity. The weight = mass x acceleration. True, the gravitational attraction is zero at the centre of the earth, but everywhere else there is some gravity acting on a huge density contrast. Also there is the question of incompatibility between siderophile and lithophile elements. During the initial hot phase of planetary formation it wouldn't have taken much gravity to differentiate the two liquid phases.
That said, it is possible that some residual non Fe-Ni lighter elements could be lurking within the core - sulphur and hydrogen (as metal hydrides) have been widely cited as possibilities. The main evidence being that the true density, as determined by geophysics, is slightly less than it should be if it it was just nickel-iron (+ a few heavier elements).

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: To be clear, the attraction is 0, but there is an attraction - it cancels out from all directions. Also note that because the earth is wobbly, with mountains stuck on and trenches cut out - and it's a username_3 squished at the top - which means the "centre" of the earth is not necessarily where you would find 0 g.  

---

