crash course how do we know the earth is rotating

Full Answer

Why does the Earth rotate?

The first dynamic demonstration that the Earth rotates was the Foucault pendulum. As the Earth rotates the inertia of a pendulum keeps it in as close to the same plane as it can. This is a consequence of Newton's Laws of Motion. At the poles what happens is simple: The pendulum swings and the Earth rotates underneath.

Where can we see the Earth rotate?

We can look back at Earth from the Moon, Mars or a passing spacecraft and see it rotate. But these options weren't available for a long time after the idea of a rotating Earth was widely accepted. So, how did they know?

What is the first dynamic demonstration that the Earth rotates?

The first dynamic demonstration that the Earth rotates was the Foucault pendulum. As the Earth rotates the inertia of a pendulum keeps it in as close to the same plane as it can. This is a consequence of Newton's Laws of Motion.

Was there any other supporting evidence that the Earth rotated?

Perhaps Copernicus, and all of his supporters were wrong. Was there any other supporting evidence that the Earth rotated? The first dynamic demonstration that the Earth rotates was the Foucault pendulum. As the Earth rotates the inertia of a pendulum keeps it in as close to the same plane as it can.

How do you know that Earth is rotating?

Scientists use the movement of pendulums to provide evidence that the Earth is rotating. A pendulum is a weight hanging from a fixed point so that it can swing freely back and forth. When you move the base of the pendulum, the weight continues to travel in the same path.

What are the 2 proofs of Earth's rotation?

Three gyroscopes pointed at random stars will all seem to circle the Earth's rotation axis daily, while maintaining the angles between them. A second option would be to point one gyroscope at the North Star (Polaris), a second at a bright star elsewhere, such as Aldebaran, and the third at the Sun.

Why don't we feel the Earth spinning?

But, for the most part, we don't feel the Earth itself spinning because we are held close to the Earth's surface by gravity and the constant speed of rotation. Our planet has been spinning for billions of years and will continue to spin for billions more. This is because nothing in space is stopping us.

What is the first dynamic demonstration that the Earth rotates?

The first dynamic demonstration that the Earth rotates was the Foucault pendulum. As the Earth rotates the inertia of a pendulum keeps it in as close to the same plane as it can. This is a consequence of Newton's Laws of Motion. At the poles what happens is simple: The pendulum swings and the Earth rotates underneath. At the equator it is also simple. The pendulum doesn't rotate. In between the analysis is more complicated. The results are shown on this Wikipedia page. If you haven't seen a Foucault pendulum check to see if there is one nearby.

How fast do satelites go in orbit?

When most satelites are launched into orbit they head east. Why? To orbit the Earth you have to go FAST, for low orbits about 17,500 mph. If you launch to the east you get boost from the Earth's rotation. For launches near the equator that boost is about 1,000 mph.

Can we see the Earth rotating?

We can look back at Earth from the Moon, Mars or a passing spacecraft and see it rotate. But these options weren't available for a long time after the idea of a rotating Earth was widely accepted.