Question

The radius of the earth is a little less than 4000 miles. Using that number, how much faster is the surface moving from west to east at the equator than it would be moving if the earth were not rotating (in mph)? Consider, as in class, that air moving with the surface at the equator is warmed by the sun, rises and starts to move north. If it continues to move from west to east at the same speed that it had at the equator as it moves northward, how fast will it be moving past the surface of the earth in the east-west direction (state whether it’s east or west) when it gets to 45o latitude (close to the latitude of Minneapolis)?

Answer 1