What is the Acceleration at a Point on Earth's Surface at a Given Latitude?

[syang9]

"show that a point on the surface of the Earth at latitude theta from the equator has an acceleration of magnitude 3.37cm/s^2*cos(theta) relative to a reference fram not rotating with the earth."

i really have no idea how to approach this problem. i don't really understand why the acceleration at a point above or below the equator should be different than the acceleration at the equator. could anyone provide a hint or two as to how i should start?

many thanks.

 

[aaroman]

Hint1: Centripetal acceleration.
Hint2: Distance from the axis of rotation.

 

[physics247]

circular motion

Refer to problem 5 in section A on this page:

http://www.physics247.com/solved_problems/circular_motion.php

 

[syang9]

thanks a lot guys, you were a lot of help!