I’m assuming the “bottomless pit” (the one Dirk intended) would actually be a tunnel that goes through the planet. With clouds in the background and apparently a substantial atmosphere at a comfortable temperature the planet Brewster, Dirk and his Stormtroopers are on appears to be about the size of Earth. We’ll ignore the improbability of such a tunnel actually existing on a sizable planet without collapsing and also ignore the likely high temperatures within.
Assuming the air density within the tunnel is the same as the surface, if Brewster actually fell into such a tunnel air resistance would act as a break. After about 1500 feet Brewster would reach terminal velocity, falling at the speed of about 120 MPH. At that speed it would take Brewster between 32 to 33 hours to reach the center of the planet. Actually, it would take him somewhat longer since the closer he approaches the center the less intense would be the gravitational pull; this would increase the effect of the air resistance, slowing his fall.
Once reaching the center of the planet, Brewster’s momentum would carry him past the center, but not too far. Passing the center, the greater percentage of the mass of the planet would be behind him, with the gravity now pulling him backwards. Brewster’s momentum would gradually slow until he started falling back towards the center of the planet. Brewster would oscillate through the center a number of times, losing momentum with each pass, until finally he would stop dropping and be weightless, suspended at the center of the planet. In a sense, Brewster would “fall for eternity,” but not in the manner probably imagined by Dirk.
[I’ve heard stories about projects that were sent out, the drawings claimed to be at 1:100 or 1:200 scale, weren’t, and variation claimes ensued.
An employer said was given and then worked off a site plan drawing he was told were 1:500 scale, when it was closer to 1:400…and then had to figure out how to squeeze the same number of houses (he’d already told a client could fit) onto the much smaller in reality site. ]
So hypothetically, if you could stand on a small area at the exact center of the Earth, where every direction is up and no direction is down, what would that feel like? How would the fluid in your semi-circular canals behave? I suspect it would be an extremely disorienting experience.
I remember when I was a kid having been told a couple lakes in our area were “bottomless.” I imagine those who told me truly believed that, but as an adult, I know better. They may be deep, but can’t be bottomless.
Don’t cause the early demise of brain cells trying to figure out what is a sideless pit. It’s only one of those special comics physics phenomena. Like Wile E. Coyote hovering in air long enough to hold up a “Yikes!” sign before gravity kicks in and he plummets to the ground, kicking-up a gray mini-mushroom cloud of shame and regret.
Imagine about 2 years ago
Incompetence saves the day. Again.
Ratkin Premium Member about 2 years ago
The Pit and the Stumblebums
David_the_CAD about 2 years ago
well to be bottomless, or sideless you will need to go all the way through the planet.
So sideless is just bottomless turned 90 degrees
Bilan about 2 years ago
Wouldn’t he have fallen to China? /s
in-dubio-pro-rainbow about 2 years ago
Incompetence is the (bottomless) pits…
Gent about 2 years ago
They shoulda consulted Tarzan the pit expert.
eromlig about 2 years ago
Undoubtedly the same guy who installed the fire pole at the fire station upside down. Everybody started sliding up.
Alabama Al about 2 years ago
OK – Let’s discuss “bottomless pits.”
I’m assuming the “bottomless pit” (the one Dirk intended) would actually be a tunnel that goes through the planet. With clouds in the background and apparently a substantial atmosphere at a comfortable temperature the planet Brewster, Dirk and his Stormtroopers are on appears to be about the size of Earth. We’ll ignore the improbability of such a tunnel actually existing on a sizable planet without collapsing and also ignore the likely high temperatures within.
Assuming the air density within the tunnel is the same as the surface, if Brewster actually fell into such a tunnel air resistance would act as a break. After about 1500 feet Brewster would reach terminal velocity, falling at the speed of about 120 MPH. At that speed it would take Brewster between 32 to 33 hours to reach the center of the planet. Actually, it would take him somewhat longer since the closer he approaches the center the less intense would be the gravitational pull; this would increase the effect of the air resistance, slowing his fall.
Once reaching the center of the planet, Brewster’s momentum would carry him past the center, but not too far. Passing the center, the greater percentage of the mass of the planet would be behind him, with the gravity now pulling him backwards. Brewster’s momentum would gradually slow until he started falling back towards the center of the planet. Brewster would oscillate through the center a number of times, losing momentum with each pass, until finally he would stop dropping and be weightless, suspended at the center of the planet. In a sense, Brewster would “fall for eternity,” but not in the manner probably imagined by Dirk.
The Reader Premium Member about 2 years ago
Actually, when I stopped and thought about it, a sideless spit is much more mind-blowing!
chuckcork1 about 2 years ago
Inexperienced Autocad operators!
[I’ve heard stories about projects that were sent out, the drawings claimed to be at 1:100 or 1:200 scale, weren’t, and variation claimes ensued.
An employer said was given and then worked off a site plan drawing he was told were 1:500 scale, when it was closer to 1:400…and then had to figure out how to squeeze the same number of houses (he’d already told a client could fit) onto the much smaller in reality site. ]
rmercer Premium Member about 2 years ago
Actually the sideless pit has already been created. It’s just that you can’t tell the difference….
Econ01 about 2 years ago
Wouldn’t a sideless pit just be a Dyson sphere that’s really close to the planet?
Steverino Premium Member about 2 years ago
This comic is the pits.
belgarathmth about 2 years ago
So hypothetically, if you could stand on a small area at the exact center of the Earth, where every direction is up and no direction is down, what would that feel like? How would the fluid in your semi-circular canals behave? I suspect it would be an extremely disorienting experience.
royq27 about 2 years ago
How did Brewster get captured by those idiots?
Lee26 Premium Member about 2 years ago
Dumb and Dumber in Space?
mistercatworks about 2 years ago
It’s called a trench.
oakie817 about 2 years ago
ka-pointless
Csaw Backnforth about 2 years ago
I remember when I was a kid having been told a couple lakes in our area were “bottomless.” I imagine those who told me truly believed that, but as an adult, I know better. They may be deep, but can’t be bottomless.
stamps about 2 years ago
In Haleakela crater on Maui, there’s a pit with the sign “Bottomless Pit – Depth 65 feet.”.
cuzinron47 about 2 years ago
With enemy like this, he could use some enemies.
syzygy47 about 2 years ago
Aw. And Dirk had his version of the “This is Sparta!” ready.
louisb1030 about 2 years ago
Don’t cause the early demise of brain cells trying to figure out what is a sideless pit. It’s only one of those special comics physics phenomena. Like Wile E. Coyote hovering in air long enough to hold up a “Yikes!” sign before gravity kicks in and he plummets to the ground, kicking-up a gray mini-mushroom cloud of shame and regret.
The Orange Mailman about 2 years ago
The Albino: You are in the Pit of RIAPSED!
Count Rugen: Let me see those plans. You idiot. It’s supposed to be the Pit of DESPAIR! You spelled it backward.
David Huie Green LoveJoyAndPeace about 2 years ago
Don’t you just hate when you do that?
norphos about 2 years ago
Brewster would eventually hit the planet’s core, I doubt that the stormtroopers could have dug that deep with mere shovels.
geese28 about 2 years ago
Will it lead anyone to a Walmart?