If two identical balls are connected to the same very long rope, and one of the balls are floating in space and the other one is hanging above earth’s surface. What would happen?

Question

So my 7-year old asked me this and as much as I would love to be able to give him a proper answer, I couldn’t.

Does ball A (in space) float away, taking ball B (above earth’s surface) with it? Will the balls stay somewhat fixed or will ball B force ball A down?

In: Physics

Answer 1

Either Ball A would fall to earth (and burn up in the atmosphere) or the string would break.

One of the major problems with space elevators is the length of the string is so long that even our lightest and strongest strings would break under their own weight.