How Do We Calculate Centrifugal Acceleration in Celestial Bodies?

[johnq2k7]

Calculate the centrifugal acceleration associated with

a.) The rotation of the Earth around its axis, as measured on the equator
b.) The Earth moving around the Earth-Sun centre of mass. Assume the orbit is circular
c._ The Sun moving around the Earth-Sun centre of mass. Same assumption as in b.)

Work shown...

i'm so confused with centrifugal and centripetal acceleration... but this question is asking for 'centrifugal' accel.

for a.) i did a_z= (omega^2)*(x)
where omega= sqrt (G*(M+m))/(r^3))

i don't understand how measure this since it's at the equator

for b.) do i simply use the weight of the earth, earth, and distance from the Earth to the sun.. and sub in

for c>0 do i simply use the weight of the sun, earth, and distance from the Earth to the sun.. and if so what's the difference

need a lot of help here.. please help!

 

[tiny-tim]

Hi johnq2k7!

Calculate the centrifugal acceleration associated with

a.) The rotation of the Earth around its axis, as measured on the equator
b.) The Earth moving around the Earth-Sun centre of mass. Assume the orbit is circular
c._ The Sun moving around the Earth-Sun centre of mass. Same assumption as in b.)

Work shown...

i'm so confused with centrifugal and centripetal acceleration... but this question is asking for 'centrifugal' accel.

"Centrifugal" just means the opposite of centripetal … it's a daft way of asking the question, like "A rocket is launched into space: what is its speed downwards?"

for a.) i did a_z= (omega^2)*(x)
where omega= sqrt (G*(M+m))/(r^3))

i don't understand how measure this since it's at the equator

for b.) do i simply use the weight of the earth, earth, and distance from the Earth to the sun.. and sub in

for c>0 do i simply use the weight of the sun, earth, and distance from the Earth to the sun.. and if so what's the difference

no, this is geometry, not physics …

you're not asked why is there acceleration (gravity etc), only what is the acceleration …

for that, you only need to know the length of the day and the year (and you can look that up in a diary ), and the distances involved.