Eli5: is here any noticeable change in our weight based on how close or far away we are from the equator because of centrifugal force from earth’s rotation , since gravity is the same everywhere( at same altitude)?

Question

Eli5: is here any noticeable change in our weight based on how close or far away we are from the equator because of centrifugal force from earth’s rotation , since gravity is the same everywhere( at same altitude)?

In: 2

Answer 1

Not noticeable by a person, but noticeable by scientific instruments.

The formula for centrifugal force is F = mω^2 r, m being mass, ω being angular velocity, r being the distance to the axis of rotation.

Let’s call the weight you experience W, so W = mg – mω^2 r

At a pole, W = mg since r would be 0m

W = m (g – ω^2 r)

So the difference in the acceleration you appear to have due to gravity would just be that ω^2 r, where as g would be 9.8m/s^2

ω = 2π radians/day (speed of the Earth’s rotation)

r = 6378 km (equatorial radius of Earth)

ω^2 r = ~.0337 m/s^2

Earth’s gravity also isn’t uniform. If you look at a gravity map of Earth you can see some regions are higher or lower. James Bay in Canada for example has some.of the lowest gravity in the world.