Science & Mathematics Brain teaser

[bunsen burner]

This is not really a brain teaser.

The circumference of the earth, around the equator, is 40,075.16 kilometers. At one geographical location it takes 24 hours for the globe to rotate and get back to the same spot.

40,075/24 = 1669

So that means, it your on the equator (40,075 long) then Earth will rotate 40,075 km in one day. That means Earth, at the equator moves at 1669 km/h.

That pretty quick. F***ing lively if I don't say so myself.

Planes typically travel at 880 km/h

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061014090412AAWangF

So if the world is spinning at 1669 km/h (at the equator - the fastest point) and a plane travels at 880km/h, how the f*** can you ever from Malaysia to the Congo along the equator (left to right on a map) and ever reach the destination?

I'm sure there is a logical answer but please explain.

 

[Wallaby]

The air/atmosphere moves with the earth.

 

[neroblack]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_relativity

I'm aware wikipedia is a bit lazy, but yeh, I'm a bit lazy.

 

[Norwegian Blue]

This is not really a brain teaser.

The circumference of the earth, around the equator, is 40,075.16 kilometers. At one geographical location it takes 24 hours for the globe to rotate and get back to the same spot.

40,075/24 = 1669

So that means, it your on the equator (40,075 long) then Earth will rotate 40,075 km in one day. That means Earth, at the equator moves at 1669 km/h.

That pretty quick. F***ing lively if I don't say so myself.

Planes typically travel at 880 km/h

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061014090412AAWangF

So if the world is spinning at 1669 km/h (at the equator - the fastest point) and a plane travels at 880km/h, how the f*** can you ever from Malaysia to the Congo along the equator (left to right on a map) and ever reach the destination?

I'm sure there is a logical answer but please explain.

You've missed one very basic thing. The Congo is *west* of Malaysia. Thus, in order to travel from Malaysia to the Congo, all you have to do is jump straight up into the air and wait for the Earth to spin east to west underneath you.

 

[DrParrot]

separate question as this one looks like its been answered


two things which i believe are facts....

• hot air rises
• our main heat source is the sun

Why then are the peaks of mountains cold? they are closer to the sun and are up?
this bugs me

 

[neroblack]

separate question as this one looks like its been answered


two things which i believe are facts....

• hot air rises
• our main heat source is the sun

Why then are the peaks of mountains cold? they are closer to the sun and are up?

this bugs me

The pressure of the atmosphere drops as you get higher, so although warmer air does rise, as you get higher the lower pressure allows the air to expand, and it cools down.

 

[DrParrot]

thanks mate... I still don't really get it but as long as there is a sciencey explanation lol

just don't get how pressure or expanding air effect temperature

 

[Simple Jack]

thanks mate... I still don't really get it but as long as there is a sciencey explanation lol

just don't get how pressure or expanding air effect temperature

Pressure and temperature are related. Think about it as if a certain parcel of air can contain a certain amount of 'heat energy' if you compress that parcel of air then all the heat energy is closer together. If it is allowed to expand the heat energy is spread out further.

This is a pretty shit explanation and my understanding of thermodynamics is cursory at best so anyone feel free to clean this up and correct it.

 

[DrParrot]

Pressure and temperature are related. Think about it as if a certain parcel of air can contain a certain amount of 'heat energy' if you compress that parcel of air then all the heat energy is closer together. If it is allowed to expand the heat energy is spread out further.

This is a pretty shit explanation and my understanding of thermodynamics is cursory at best so anyone feel free to clean this up and correct it.

Haha thanks my understanding is a little better now anyways