What should be the velocity of rotation of earth due to rotation about its own axis so that the weight of a person becomes (3)/(5) of the present weight at the equator. Equatorial radius of earth is 6400km.
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At the equator, effective gravity is reduced due to centrifugal force:
gₑff = g - ω² R
Always use this relation when Earth’s rotation affects weight.
Step 1: At the equator, effective weight of a person is
W = m(g - ω² R)
Step 2: Given that the new weight becomes (3)/(5) of the original weight:
m(g - ω² R) = (3)/(5)mg
Step 3: Simplifying:
g - ω² R = (3)/(5)g
ω² R = (2)/(5)g
Step 4: Substituting g = 9.8m/s² and
R = 6400 × 10³m:
ω² = (2 × 9.8)/(5 × 6.4 × 10⁶)
ω² = 6.125 × 10⁻7
Step 5: Taking square root:
ω = 7.8 × 10⁻4rad/s