Obtain an expression for the variation in effective gravitational acceleration $g'$ with latitude due to the Earth's rotation.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) The angle made by the line joining a given place on the Earth's surface to the center of the Earth with the equatorial plane is called the latitude $(\lambda)$ of that place.
For the equator,latitude $\lambda = 0^{\circ}$ and for the poles,latitude $\lambda = 90^{\circ}$.
As shown in the figure,the latitude of the place $P$ on the Earth's surface is $\lambda = \angle POE$. Consider a particle of mass $m$ at this position. Two forces act on it:
$(1)$ The Earth's gravitational force $mg$ acting towards the center $O$ along the line $PO$.
$(2)$ Due to the Earth's rotation,the particle experiences a centrifugal force $m r \omega^2$ acting outwards along the radius of the circular path $PM$ (where $r$ is the radius of the circle of latitude).
From the geometry of the figure,$r = R_e \cos \lambda$,where $R_e$ is the radius of the Earth.
The component of the centrifugal force $m r \omega^2$ acting along the line $PO$ (towards the center) is $m r \omega^2 \cos \lambda$.
Substituting $r = R_e \cos \lambda$,the component is $m (R_e \cos \lambda) \omega^2 \cos \lambda = m R_e \omega^2 \cos^2 \lambda$.
The effective force $F$ on the particle towards the center is $F = mg - m R_e \omega^2 \cos^2 \lambda$.
If $g'$ is the effective gravitational acceleration,then $mg' = F = mg - m R_e \omega^2 \cos^2 \lambda$.
Therefore,the expression for effective gravitational acceleration is $g' = g - R_e \omega^2 \cos^2 \lambda$.

Explore More

Similar Questions

The acceleration due to gravity on the Moon is $\frac{1}{6}$ times that of the Earth. If the ratio of the density of the Earth $(\rho_e)$ to the Moon $(\rho_m)$ is $\frac{\rho_e}{\rho_m} = \frac{5}{3}$,what is the radius of the Moon $(R_m)$ in terms of the radius of the Earth $(R_e)$?

Difficult
View Solution

The value of acceleration due to gravity at a depth of $ 1600 \,km $ is equal to: (Radius of Earth $ = 6400 \,km $) (in $\,ms^{-2}$)

The moon's radius is $1/4$ that of the earth and its mass is $1/80$ times that of the earth. If $g$ represents the acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the earth,then the acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the moon is:

The acceleration due to gravity on the earth's surface at the poles is $g$ and the angular velocity of the earth about the axis passing through the poles is $\omega$. An object is weighed at the equator and at a height $h$ above the poles by using a spring balance. If the weights are found to be the same,then $h$ is: ($h << R$,where $R$ is the radius of the earth)

The mass of the moon is $7.34 \times 10^{22} \ kg$ and the radius of the moon is $1.74 \times 10^6 \ m$. The value of gravitational acceleration on the moon will be ....... $N/kg$.

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo