Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Science

Lionel Mandrake

(4,204 posts) Fri May 26, 2017, 07:30 PM May 2017

Can you answer a physics question discussed by Hooke and Newton? [View all]

A ball is dropped from the top of a tower on the equator. Does it land right at the base of the tower, slightly to the east, or slightly to the west? Neglect air resistance, and assume the Earth is perfectly spherical and rotating at constant angular velocity.

Can you prove your answer?

7 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Can you answer a physics question discussed by Hooke and Newton? [View all] Lionel Mandrake May 2017 OP

Slightly to the East Xipe Totec May 2017 #1

slightly west.The tower is perpendicular to the tangent surface of the earth, as in zenith. juxtaposed May 2017 #2

Conservation of angular momentum VMA131Marine May 2017 #3

Correct. Lionel Mandrake May 2017 #4

And if we move away from the equator the same argument holds. Igel May 2017 #5

It's interesting that you should mention moving away from the equator. Lionel Mandrake May 2017 #6

On second thought, using the Coriolis force is a good idea. Lionel Mandrake May 2017 #7

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Science»Can you answer a physics ...»Reply #0