Calculating Earth's Centripetal Force: Impact on Weight and Direction at 700mph

In summary, the conversation discusses the effect of Earth's spin on centripetal force and whether it is significant. An equation is provided to calculate the force, and it is mentioned that the effect can be noticeable for activities such as launching spaceships or flying at high speeds.
  • #1
ChrisAndre
18
0
Considering Earth spins there is a centripetal force acting on us. How much force is acting on us? Say a 1Kg weight? Can someone give me an equation? Is it significant? I was wondering if land racer would be noticeably lighter or heavier if traveling in one direction or another at 700mph due to increased or decreased centripetal force.
 
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  • #3
It can be significant depending on what you're trying to do. It's significant enough to try to launch spaceships from closer to the equator.

Concorde flew fast enough that you would feel about 1% lighter when flying east, due to centripetal acceleration...and another .6% due to height above the earth.
 

1. What is Earth's centripetal force?

Earth's centripetal force is the force that keeps the planet in orbit around the sun. It is a result of the gravitational pull between the Earth and the sun.

2. How is Earth's centripetal force calculated?

The formula for calculating Earth's centripetal force is F = (mv^2)/r, where F is the force, m is the mass of the Earth, v is the velocity of the Earth in its orbit, and r is the distance between the Earth and the sun.

3. What would happen if Earth's centripetal force suddenly disappeared?

If Earth's centripetal force suddenly disappeared, the planet would no longer be able to maintain its orbit and would fly off into space in a straight line. This would result in catastrophic consequences for life on Earth.

4. How does Earth's centripetal force affect the length of a day?

The centripetal force of the Earth affects the length of a day by causing the planet to bulge slightly at the equator. This bulge causes the Earth to spin slightly faster, resulting in a shorter day at the equator compared to the poles.

5. Can Earth's centripetal force change over time?

Yes, Earth's centripetal force can change over time due to various factors like changes in the Earth's mass, changes in its distance from the sun, and gravitational pull from other celestial bodies. However, these changes are very small and do not significantly affect the Earth's orbit around the sun.

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