# Angular speed and rotation problem

1. Dec 11, 2005

### suspenc3

what is the angular speed $$\omega$$ about the polar axis of a point on earths surface at a latitude of $$40^o$$

I know that the radius of the earth is $$6.37 x 10^6m$$

I also know that the earth rotates about this axis ($$40^o$$)

I dont realy understand what their asking...obviously angular speed, but I cant picture it
What do I do?

2. Dec 12, 2005

### Tide

The Earth rotates about the polar axis - not the "40 deg" axis.

Do you know the definition of angular velocity? Do you think latitude would matter?

3. Dec 12, 2005

### Homer Simpson

Are you sure you got the total question read properly?? I dont know what you consider angular speed to be. Look up Angular Velocity. It is a 'rotations per unit time' sort of thing. You can relate this to Linear Velocity, maybe that is what you are after. That would be how fast you would be travelling in unit dist per unit time as observed from space.

4. Dec 13, 2005

### andrevdh

Angular speed is defined as
$$\omega=\frac{\Delta \theta}{\Delta t}$$
where $\Delta \theta$ is the angle, in radians that a point (on the surface of the earth at latitude 40 degrees in this case) rotates through during the time interval $\Delta t$. The earth rotates through $2\pi$ radians in 24 hours, irrespective where on earth you are.

5. Dec 13, 2005