The problem involves calculating the deviation of a plumb bob from a radial line due to the Earth's rotation at 35 degrees north latitude. It touches on concepts of centripetal acceleration and equilibrium in a rotating frame of reference.
Participants are exploring the implications of the Earth's rotation on the plumb bob's behavior. Hints have been provided regarding the relationship between the plumb bob's position and the forces acting on it, but no consensus or complete solution has emerged.
The original poster mentions a hint regarding the approximation of apparent weight by real weight, which remains unclear in its application to the problem.
A plumb bob does not hang exactly along a line directed to the centre of the Earth's rotation. How much does the plumb bob deviate from a radial line at 35 degrees north latitude?
Doc Al said:Here's a hint: If the Earth weren't rotating, the plumb bob would point straight towards the Earth's center. Furthermore the bob would be in equilibrium. But, alas, the Earth rotates. Thus the bob is accelerating towards its axis of rotation. Figure out that acceleration and then apply Newton's 2nd law to find the angle that the bob must hang.