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

[ChrisAndre]

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.

 

[russ_watters]

No, the effect is not significant. You can calculate it using this equation (and f=ma): http://ffden-2.phys.uaf.edu/211_fall2002.web.dir/shawna_sastamoinen/centripetal.htm

 

[Lsos]

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.