Why is the speed of Earth's rotation different at the equator than at the poles?

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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.

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Originally Posted by Vii_Rockstar

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.

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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?

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.

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.

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Originally Posted by smearcase

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.

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Erm, yes, this is what we wanted the OP to realise on his/her own. Thanks though.