Grade upto college level Mechanics
How does the Earth's rotation affect the measurement of the weight of an object at the equator?
How does the Earth's rotation affect the measurement of the weight of an object at the equator?
1 Answer
Navjyot Kalra
First consider that the Earth is stationary. The weight of the person say mg is balanced by the normal force N thereby accounting for the vertical equilibrium of person.
With the Earth rotating, the centrifugal force acts on the person, pushing him away from the axis of rotation. Therefore the centrifugal force acts opposite to the direction of weight mg such that the net weight of the person is mg - Fc (where Fc is the centrifugal force on the person).
Thus one can see that the net weight of the person is lower in magnitude than its weight, had the Earth not been rotating. Therefore the rotation of Earth reduces the effective weight of the person.
With the Earth rotating, the centrifugal force acts on the person, pushing him away from the axis of rotation. Therefore the centrifugal force acts opposite to the direction of weight mg such that the net weight of the person is mg - Fc (where Fc is the centrifugal force on the person).
Thus one can see that the net weight of the person is lower in magnitude than its weight, had the Earth not been rotating. Therefore the rotation of Earth reduces the effective weight of the person.
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