Earth's Rotation

skepticsm

I have a question about the centripetal acceleration required for earth's rotation about its axis. There obviously must be a force causing this acceleration, but I can't seem to figure what the source of this force is. Anyone happen to know the answer?

Doc Al

For any piece of the earth not on the axis of rotation there will be a net centripetal force. Gravity and contact forces (from surrounding material) provide the radial force, the net of which is towards the axis of rotation.

sweet springs

Hi,
Regarding the earth as simple solid body, no outer force is required for spinning of the earth by the conservation law of angular momentum.
Regarding the earth as complex of parts, part of gravity to the center of earth works as centripetal force to keep them not dispersed.
Regards.

*LouieHussey*

Skepticsm, centripetal acceleration is in the radial direction, but the earth’s rotational motion is in the tangential direction. As such, centripetal acceleration does not cause the earth’s rotation--I am taking the earth's radius to be a constant here. Did you mean to ask: what torque acts upon the earth to cause its rotation?

Buckleymanor

Quote by skepticsm

I have a question about the centripetal acceleration required for earth's rotation about its axis. There obviously must be a force causing this acceleration, but I can't seem to figure what the source of this force is. Anyone happen to know the answer?

Rain.

Similar Threads for: Earth's Rotation
Thread	Forum	Replies
Why do we rotate along with the earth's rotation?	Classical Physics	134
Can the sun be blueshifted due to Earth's rotation?	Astrophysics	19
Gravity And Earth's Rotation	General Astronomy	22
Air and Earth's rotation	General Physics	2
Earth's rotation and gravitation	Classical Physics	1

skepticsm	Earth's Rotation Tweet I have a question about the centripetal acceleration required for earth's rotation about its axis. There obviously must be a force causing this acceleration, but I can't seem to figure what the source of this force is. Anyone happen to know the answer?

Doc Al Mentor Blog Entries: 1	For any piece of the earth not on the axis of rotation there will be a net centripetal force. Gravity and contact forces (from surrounding material) provide the radial force, the net of which is towards the axis of rotation.

sweet springs	Hi, Regarding the earth as simple solid body, no outer force is required for spinning of the earth by the conservation law of angular momentum. Regarding the earth as complex of parts, part of gravity to the center of earth works as centripetal force to keep them not dispersed. Regards.

LouieHussey	Earth's Rotation Skepticsm, centripetal acceleration is in the radial direction, but the earth’s rotational motion is in the tangential direction. As such, centripetal acceleration does not cause the earth’s rotation--I am taking the earth's radius to be a constant here. Did you mean to ask: what torque acts upon the earth to cause its rotation?