What is the Radial Acceleration of a Painting at 38.9° North?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the radial acceleration of a painting located at a latitude of 38.9° North, considering the effects of Earth's rotation. The context is centered around circular motion and the relevant physical principles involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the equations for radial acceleration and question the values used for variables such as radius and period. There are inquiries about the source of certain numbers and the units being applied.

Discussion Status

Some participants have pointed out potential errors in the original poster's calculations, particularly regarding the use of pi and the units involved. There is an ongoing exploration of the relationship between the Earth's radius and the radius of the circular path relevant to the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the radius of the circular path for the painting is not equal to the Earth's radius and that there may be confusion regarding the units of measurement being used in the calculations.

trainumc
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Homework Statement


Objects that are at rest relative to Earth's surface are in circular motion due to Earth's rotation. What is the radial acceleration of a painting hanging in a museum at a latitude of ϕ = 38.9° North? (Note that the object's radial acceleration is not directed toward the center of the Earth.)



Homework Equations




ac=v^2/r v=(4*Pi^2*r)/t^2

The Attempt at a Solution



ac=4Pi*2.3E13/576
im not sure what I'm doing wrong, any help? look at the attachment for more information
 

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Could you perhaps provide a little more detail in your solution. I'm not quite sure where your pulling some of those numbers from.
 
You forgot the square for pi (it's pi^2) and the units are mixed up.
You use the period in hours. I cannot figure out what unit you use for the radius...
Earth's radius is about 6400km (6.4 10^6 m). To get 10^13 we should measure it in fractions of microns or something...
 
nasu said:
You forgot the square for pi (it's pi^2) and the units are mixed up.
You use the period in hours. I cannot figure out what unit you use for the radius...
Earth's radius is about 6400km (6.4 10^6 m). To get 10^13 we should measure it in fractions of microns or something...
The radius of the Earth is not necessarily the radius of the circular path, in this case the radius of the path is significantly less than the radius of the earth.
 
Hootenanny said:
The radius of the Earth is not necessarily the radius of the circular path, in this case the radius of the path is significantly less than the radius of the earth.
No doubt. But at this stage I was just trying to do some estimate to figure out where that big number comes from.
Maybe the author will tell us himself.
 

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