Apparent weight / Rotating coordinate system

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the calculation of apparent weight due to Earth's rotation, specifically at latitude λ, expressed by the formula m((g-ω²Rcos²λ)²-(ω²Rcosλsinλ)²)¹/². Participants explore the implications of angular velocity (ω) and gravitational acceleration (g) in a rotating coordinate system. The conversation also touches on the independence of apparent gravity from latitude on the planet Isobarios, which has a rotational period of 2 hours, 46 minutes, and 40 seconds. The challenge lies in simplifying the derived expressions and understanding the effects of angular velocity on apparent weight.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of rotational dynamics and angular velocity (ω)
  • Familiarity with gravitational acceleration (g) and its dependence on mass and radius
  • Knowledge of vector calculus, particularly cross products
  • Basic principles of physics related to rotating reference frames
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the apparent weight formula in rotating systems
  • Learn about the effects of angular velocity on gravitational forces
  • Explore the concept of inertial and non-inertial reference frames
  • Investigate the properties of spherically symmetric bodies in rotational motion
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, educators, and professionals interested in mechanics, particularly those focusing on rotational dynamics and gravitational effects in non-inertial frames.

adichy
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Homework Statement



Show that, owing to the rotation of the Earth on its axis, the apparent weight of an object
of mass m at latitude λ is :

m((g-[itex]ω^{2}[/itex]R[itex]cos^{2}[/itex]λ)[itex]^{2}[/itex]-([itex]ω^{2}[/itex]Rcosλsinλ)[itex]^{2}[/itex])[itex]^{1/2}[/itex]

where ω is the angular velocity of the Earth and R its radius.
The first space travellers to reach the planet Isobarios land in the polar regions and discover,
to their surprise, that the apparent weight of objects, measured with a spring balance, does
not vary with latitude even though the planet is rotating. The planet is spherically symmetric
and the length of the “day” is 2hr46min40sec. Calculate its mean density.

Homework Equations



g*=-g R/R -ωx(ωxR)

The Attempt at a Solution



I've taken ω= ωcosλ[itex]\hat{y}[/itex] - ωsinλ [itex]\hat{z}[/itex]

since we have gravity going in the z direction i took R= (R[itex]\hat{x}[/itex], R[itex]\hat{y}[/itex], 0)

i then crossed these two terms to find ωRsinλ[itex]\hat{x}[/itex] - ωRsinλ[itex]\hat{y}[/itex] -ωRcosλ[itex]\hat{z}[/itex]

i then crossed it again with ω to find

2Rcos2λ + ω2Rsin2λ )[itex]\hat{x}[/itex] - ω2Rsin2λ [itex]\hat{y}[/itex] + ω2Rsinλcosλ[itex]\hat{z}[/itex]

i tidied the first formula to get

ω2R[itex]\hat{x}[/itex] + ω2Rcosλ(cosλ[itex]\hat{z}[/itex]-sinλ[itex]\hat{y}[/itex]) - g[itex]\hat{z}[/itex]

thats the first part of my problem, I am not sure how to get rid of the ω2R[itex]\hat{x}[/itex] as without that i can just use trig and the answer will pop out.

on the 2nd part of the question were told lambda is independent of apparent gravity, I am not exactly sure what that implies so I've left that part for now.

i know that g= GM/R2

taking M=V x ρ we then have g= 4πGRρ and we also know its angular speed since length of day was given ω=2π/T = 104s exactly

Im stuck on what to do next after those steps, and I am sure the answer is staring me in the face but i just can't see it :frown:

thanks for the help
 
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adichy said:
I've taken ω= ωcosλ[itex]\hat{y}[/itex] - ωsinλ [itex]\hat{z}[/itex]

Why is this so? Why does the direction of angular velocity change with latatitude? Is this possible for a planet, presumably a solid body?
 

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