How Long Would It Take to Fall to Earth's Center?

💡 The Answer

• If a frictionless tunnel were drilled straight through Earth, a person in free fall would reach the planet's center in roughly 42 minutes and 12 seconds.
• This thought experiment, known as the gravity train, assumes uniform Earth density and a vacuum inside the tunnel to eliminate air resistance.
• Gravity would accelerate the falling object toward the core and then decelerate it symmetrically on the other side, creating a natural oscillating motion.
• The complete trip from one surface point to the opposite side of Earth would take approximately 38 to 42 minutes total.