- #1
gamabunta
- 3
- 0
Hi,
I'm currently taking 1st semester Physics and am trying to understand centripetal force relative to the Earth's rotation.
From what I understand (using a bucket of water tied to a string as an example), swinging a bucket in a circular motion, when the bucket is completely above your head, gravity will pull the water towards the bottom of the bucket (in this case up, away from the string) while centripetal force (pointing inward towards the string) is what keeps the bucket from flying off in the direction of velocity.
If this is so does this mean that what we interpret as gravity (9.8 m/s^2) "pulling" us down towards the Earth in actuality is centripetal force while the "true" gravitational force points 180 degrees in the opposing direction (in this case up towards the sky?)
I spent a good hour looking online for answers and have reread my textbook 3 times and still need clarification. Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance!
I'm currently taking 1st semester Physics and am trying to understand centripetal force relative to the Earth's rotation.
From what I understand (using a bucket of water tied to a string as an example), swinging a bucket in a circular motion, when the bucket is completely above your head, gravity will pull the water towards the bottom of the bucket (in this case up, away from the string) while centripetal force (pointing inward towards the string) is what keeps the bucket from flying off in the direction of velocity.
If this is so does this mean that what we interpret as gravity (9.8 m/s^2) "pulling" us down towards the Earth in actuality is centripetal force while the "true" gravitational force points 180 degrees in the opposing direction (in this case up towards the sky?)
I spent a good hour looking online for answers and have reread my textbook 3 times and still need clarification. Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance!