Undergrad Earth's angular velocity when axis is aligned with apparent gravity

Click For Summary
The discussion focuses on the relationship between apparent gravity (g) and true gravity (g0) in noninertial reference frames, as described in John Taylor's "Classical Mechanics." It highlights confusion regarding the alignment of the vertical axis in a coordinate system with g versus g0, particularly in the context of Earth's angular velocity (Ī©). Participants clarify that the coordinate system is indeed aligned with g0, suggesting that the inclusion of centrifugal force in the discussion may lead to misunderstandings. Additionally, it is noted that this misalignment affects the ocean's surface, which is not level when considering the coordinate system. The conversation emphasizes the importance of correctly interpreting the relationship between these gravitational components.
Bastian1978
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
TL;DR
A question about finding the components of Earth's angular velocity when the vertical axis is aligned with apparent gravity (with regards to John Taylor's book "Classical Mechanics")
I've been reading the book "Classical Mechanics" by John Taylor, and in the chapter about noninertial reference frames, it states that the direction of š‘” (the apparent gravity, which includes the centrifugal force) is not necessarily aligned with the direction of š‘”0 (the true gravity direction, directed towards the centre of the Earth).

It goes on to establish a coordinate system for a point on the surface of the Earth at colatitude šœƒ, where the vertical axis is aligned with š‘”, and the horizontal axes are aligned with north and east. It then states that if Ī© (the angular velocity of the Earth) is vertical in the standard coordinate system, we can calculate the components of Ī© in the coordinate system described above as:

(0, Ī©sin(šœƒ), Ī©cos(šœƒ))

See attached diagram.

I'm confused by this because, as far as I understand, this calculation would only make sense if the coordinate system's vertical direction was aligned with š‘”0 (so that a vector from the point on the Earth's surface along this direction would be directed towards the centre of the Earth), rather than along š‘” (which would mean a vector from the point on the Earth's surface along this direction would not be directed towards the centre of the Earth, due to the included centrifugal force).

Is this just an unstated approximation being made (because the directions of š‘” and š‘”0 are similar), or have I just misunderstood what the book means?

Any help would be really appreciated.

Screen Shot 2024-08-04 at 1.42.18 am.png
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
I think you're basically right.
The coordinate system is pointing along g0.

Maybe it's unfortunate that they tell you about lumping centrifugal force in with g in the chapter before.
That sounds like s strange practice. More likely than not, they'd just include another centrifugal force term in the acceleration.

Fun fact: Since water follows an equipotential surface perpendicular to g, the ocean isn't level with this coordinate system anymore.
 
I built a device designed to brake angular velocity which seems to work based on below, i used a flexible shaft that could bow up and down so i could visually see what was happening for the prototypes. If you spin two wheels in opposite directions each with a magnitude of angular momentum L on a rigid shaft (equal magnitude opposite directions), then rotate the shaft at 90 degrees to the momentum vectors at constant angular velocity omega, then the resulting torques oppose each other...

Similar threads

  • Ā· Replies 19 Ā·
Replies
19
Views
3K
  • Ā· Replies 15 Ā·
Replies
15
Views
1K
  • Ā· Replies 15 Ā·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • Ā· Replies 17 Ā·
Replies
17
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • Ā· Replies 5 Ā·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • Ā· Replies 18 Ā·
Replies
18
Views
2K
  • Ā· Replies 4 Ā·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • Ā· Replies 6 Ā·
Replies
6
Views
4K