Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    Vii_Rockstar's Avatar
    Vii_Rockstar Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Sep 22, 2008, 05:25 PM
    Earth's Speed
    Why is the speed of Earth's rotation different at the equator than at the poles?
    Alty's Avatar
    Alty Posts: 28,317, Reputation: 5972
    Pets Expert
    		  
    #2

    Sep 22, 2008, 05:32 PM

    Ask Me Help Desk - Announcements in Forum : Homework Help
    Vii_Rockstar's Avatar
    Vii_Rockstar Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    Sep 22, 2008, 05:36 PM

    I just don't understand why there is another speed. I read that the speed accelerates closer to the sun and decreases further away but why is the speed different at the poles? That just doesn't make sense to me.
    ebaines's Avatar
    ebaines Posts: 12,131, Reputation: 1307
    Expert
    		  
    #4

    Sep 24, 2008, 10:54 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Vii_Rockstar View Post
    I just don't understand why there is another speed. I read that the speed accelerates closer to the sun and decreases further away but why is the speed different at the poles? That just doesn't make sence to me.
    You're thinking about the earth's orbit about the sun, but this question has nothing to do with that. It involves an understanding of rotating objects, as the earth rotates once per day about its axis, and remember that the earth's axis goes through the north pole. The farther you are from the axis of rotation, the faster you go, no? Like a carousel at the playground - the closer you are to the edge the faster you go. Can you see how that same principal applies to a person standing at the equator versus the north pole?
    Capuchin's Avatar
    Capuchin Posts: 5,255, Reputation: 656
    Uber Member
    		  
    #5

    Sep 24, 2008, 11:28 AM

    Take a football or tennis ball and spin it and look at it yourself. It should be quite easy to see why the velocity that you spin at varies with your position on the earth.
    smearcase's Avatar
    smearcase Posts: 2,392, Reputation: 316
    Ultra Member
    		  
    #6

    Sep 24, 2008, 01:24 PM

    Excellent answers already. I just want to add that if you look at the formula
    Distance=Rate x Time, computing the rate (speed) with a circumference of 24,000 miles (at equator) would indicate a speed of 1,000 mph. Time of rotation is the constant @ 24 hrs
    A smaller circle travelled near North pole, say 5,000 mile circumference would be 208 mph.
    All numbers approximated.
    Capuchin's Avatar
    Capuchin Posts: 5,255, Reputation: 656
    Uber Member
    		  
    #7

    Sep 24, 2008, 02:35 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by smearcase View Post
    Excellent answers already. I just want to add that if you look at the formula
    Distance=Rate x Time, computing the rate (speed) with a circumference of 24,000 miles (at equator) would indicate a speed of 1,000 mph. Time of rotation is the constant @ 24 hrs
    A smaller circle travelled near North pole, say 5,000 mile circumference would be 208 mph.
    All numbers approximated.
    Erm, yes, this is what we wanted the OP to realise on his/her own. Thanks though.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Re-entry to earth's atmosphere [ 1 Answers ]

Forgive the naïveté of this question. We all know that spacecraft re-entering the earth's atmosphere utilize heat shields to protect the astronuats due to the high speed of the spacecraft. Obviously if there was another way to re-enter the atmosphere if would have been used by now. For instance,...

Earth's Atmosphere [ 11 Answers ]

Could deforestation on a massive scale effect the oxygen content of the earths atmosphere?

Speed of the earth's rotation [ 17 Answers ]

At what speed does the earth revolve around the sun

Changes in the Earth's atmosphere [ 1 Answers ]

What are some possible effects of climate change resulting from a warmer earth? What are the major harmful effects of ozone depletion on each of the following: Human health Crop yields Forest productivity

Earth's heating [ 0 Answers ]

Hi, Most of us know that the radioactive stuff in the earth's mantle is responsible for heat production. But what does this has to with cooling of the earth and the planet's thermal budget? Is this where convection heat transfer come in? Also does anyone know a characteristic timescale of...

View more questions Search