Answer to Question #142083 in General Chemistry for Javier

Question

Explain why does earth’s rotational velocity decrease as one travels from the equator to the North pole or South pole?

Answer 1

The key to the Coriolis effect lies in Earth's rotation. Earth is wider at the Equator, so to make a rotation in a 24-hour period, equatorial regions race nearly 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) per hour. Near the poles, Earth rotates at a slow rate of 0.00008 kilometers (0.00005 miles) per hour.