Problem with Coriolis Acceleration

[dennis wang]

Homework Statement

Find the magnitude in g's of the Coriolis acceleration due to the Earth's rotation of a plane flying 600 mph due north over the location of latitude (37˚13'04"N), longitude (121˚50'39"W), at an elevation of 80 meters above mean sea level.

Homework Equations

a_Cor = 2Ω × v_xy

The Attempt at a Solution

n/a

 

[FactChecker]

On homework problems, you will have to show some work to get help. What values or calculations can you give for $\Omega$ and $v_{xy}$?

 

[dennis wang]

On homework problems, you will have to show some work to get help. What values or calculations can you give for $\Omega$ and $v_{xy}$?

$\Omega$ = Earth's rotation=0.0000727
$v_{xy}$ = 268.22 m/s

 

[FactChecker]

$\Omega$ = Earth's rotation=0.0000727
$v_{xy}$ = 268.22 m/s

Sorry, these are vectors. I should have used a notation that made that clear. The better representation is
$\vec a_{Cor} = 2\vec \Omega \times \vec v$
(I'm not sure right now what your xy subscript is for)

 

[jbriggs444]

$\Omega$ = Earth's rotation=0.0000727

When using three significant figures, the relevant rotation rate in radians per second would relate to the sidereal day, not to the solar day.

[Though it is not clear that the "600 mph" parameter is good to three significant figures]