At what rate per hour is latitude 60°00' S being carried around around the earth's axis.
GIVEN: 60°00' S latitude
WHAT IS ASKED: Rate per hour at latitude 60°00' S
ANALYSIS OF THE PROBLEM:
The circumference of the earth at equator is 21,600 nm. So 900 nm/hr is the speed at the equator because earth can finish its rotation in 24 hrs according to textbooks. Though I have to say that I do not believe that the earth rotates around its axis. ( I begin to love geocentrism now).
However, the earth has an oblate spheroid shape. So there must be a difference of circumference at latitude 60°00' compared to the equator. The salient point in the problem is this: If 900 nm is the speed of the earth at the equator, how much then is its speed at latitude 60°00' S?
SOLUTION:
Speed = 900 x Cos lat
= 900 x Cos 60°00'
= 450 nm
GIVEN: 60°00' S latitude
WHAT IS ASKED: Rate per hour at latitude 60°00' S
ANALYSIS OF THE PROBLEM:
The circumference of the earth at equator is 21,600 nm. So 900 nm/hr is the speed at the equator because earth can finish its rotation in 24 hrs according to textbooks. Though I have to say that I do not believe that the earth rotates around its axis. ( I begin to love geocentrism now).
However, the earth has an oblate spheroid shape. So there must be a difference of circumference at latitude 60°00' compared to the equator. The salient point in the problem is this: If 900 nm is the speed of the earth at the equator, how much then is its speed at latitude 60°00' S?
SOLUTION:
Speed = 900 x Cos lat
= 900 x Cos 60°00'
= 450 nm
I hope this post is helpful to you. If you want to say something, your comment is very much welcome.
sir, i really appreciated how you discuss problems one may encounter during examinations. And as a cadet it helps me alot understand and solve problems with ease with these exercises. Regarding with this post sir, why not use 21600nm as the circumference?
ReplyDeleteI will be glad of your response sir.
sailingSagitar,
ReplyDeleteI stand corrected.
I remember I was not trying to be exact when I write this post because I did not have my notes that time.