Centripetal Acceleration of North Pole

In summary, the conversation discusses calculating the magnitude of the centripetal acceleration experienced by a person at the equator and at the North Pole due to the Earth's rotation. The equation used is a = V^2 / r, and the relationship between angular velocity and tangential velocity is mentioned. It is also noted that the angular velocity of the Earth's rotation is needed to solve the problem.
  • #1
lacar213
29
0

Homework Statement


Consider the radius of the Earth to be 6.38×106 m. What is the magnitude of the centripetal acceleration experienced by a person (a) at the equator and (b) at the North Pole due to the Earth's rotation?


Homework Equations


a = V^2 / r


The Attempt at a Solution


I drew a diagram of what the problem describes but how do you get the acceleration without knowing the velocity?? Would it have something to do with angular speed??
 
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  • #2
lacar213 said:
Would it have something to do with angular speed??
Exactly. You can express the centripetal acceleration in terms of angular speed. (How does angular speed relate to velocity for circular motion?)
 
  • #3
angular = radians / s
 
  • #4
Wouldnt you need to know the time for angular velocity?
 
  • #5
lacar213 said:
angular = radians / s
Radians/sec are certainly the units for angular velocity, but I was thinking of the relationship between angular velocity and tangential velocity. Read this: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/HBASE/rotq.html#avel"

lacar213 said:
Wouldnt you need to know the time for angular velocity?
What's the angular velocity of the Earth's rotation?
 
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Related to Centripetal Acceleration of North Pole

1. What is centripetal acceleration?

Centripetal acceleration is the acceleration that occurs when an object moves in a circular motion. It is always directed towards the center of the circle and is responsible for keeping the object moving in a curved path.

2. How is centripetal acceleration calculated?

The formula for calculating centripetal acceleration is a = v²/r, where "a" is the centripetal acceleration, "v" is the velocity of the object, and "r" is the radius of the circular path.

3. How does the Earth's rotation affect the centripetal acceleration of the North Pole?

The Earth's rotation has a significant impact on the centripetal acceleration of the North Pole. As the Earth rotates, the North Pole is constantly changing its direction of motion, which results in a changing velocity and therefore a changing centripetal acceleration.

4. Is the centripetal acceleration of the North Pole constant?

No, the centripetal acceleration of the North Pole is not constant. It changes as the Earth rotates and as the North Pole moves along its circular path around the Earth's axis.

5. How does the centripetal acceleration of the North Pole affect the Earth's overall motion?

The centripetal acceleration of the North Pole, along with the centripetal acceleration of all other points on Earth, contributes to the Earth's overall motion around its axis. It is also responsible for the bulging at the equator and the flattening at the poles of the Earth's shape.

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