The speed of an airplane is about 800-900km/h. To my knowledge, the speed of the rotation can be calculated with this calculation: The rotation speed is higher than the airspeed of an aircraft, so how is it possible that the aircraft still reaches its final destination? The radius of the earth at the equator is approximately R = 6378 km., so the circumference is O = 2*πxR = 40074 km. This distance is covered at a speed of v = O/23,935 hours = 1674 km/hour. The distance traveled depends on the cosine of the width B: O = 2*πxR x cos(B). For the equator B = 0°, cos(B) = 1 and so O and v are found as above. For the poles holds B = 90°, cos(B) = 0 and so holds O = 0 km., v = 0 km./h. The Netherlands is located at approximately 52° north latitude, cos(52°) = 0.616, E = 24.672 km. and v = 1031 km/h. So in the Netherlands we cover almost 25,000 km every day. off at a speed of more than 1000 km/h!
Answer
Hi Martin,
The way you calculate the speed of the Earth’s surface is relative to an observer who is not rotating with the Earth.
Fortunately, the air layer just above the ground rotates at the same speed as the earth’s surface, so also that 1670 km / h at the equator. This makes it seem as if the air is standing still compared to us (if there is no wind).
If an aircraft has a speed of 800km/h, this means that this aircraft moves at 800km/h relative to the air (which rotates with the earth).
Relative to that fixed observer that does not rotate with the earth, your plane will therefore fly 1670+800 km/h if it flies in the direction of the rotation, or 1670-800 km/h if it flies in the opposite direction.
Also see:
https://www.ikhebeenvraag.be/vraag/40645/Hoe-kan-een-helikopter-die-rist-en-even-stilstaat-op-zijn-plek-meedraai-met-de-aarde
Kind regards,
Luc.
Answered by
ir Luc Bosmans
Technology in the audiovisual sector
Quai de l’Industrie 170 B-1070 Brussels
http://www.erasmushogeschool.be/
.