Calculate the centrifugal force experienced by a man of 60 kg standing at Chennai. (Given: Latitude of Chennai is `13^@` )

Explanation

The centrifugal force is given by `F_c = m omega^2 R cos theta`
The angular velocity `(omega)` of Earth = `(2pi)/(T)` where T is time period of the Earth (24 hours)
`omega= (2pi)/(24 xx 60 xx 60) = (2pi)/(86400) = 7.268 xx 10^(-5) rad sec^(-1)`
The radius of the Earth `R = 6400 km = 6400 xx 10^3 m `
Latitude of Chennai = `13^@`
`F_(cf) = 60 xx (7.268 xx 10^(-5) )^2 xx 6400 xx 10^3 xx cos (13^@) = 1.9678 N`
A 60 kg man experiences centrifugal force of approximately 2 Newton. But due to Earth.s gravity a man of 60 kg experiences a force `= mg= 60 xx 9.8 = 588 N` . This force is very much larger than the centrifugal force.