Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Equations Of Motion In A Rotating Noninertial Reference Frame, Nicholas L. Sponsel

Essential Studies UNDergraduate Showcase

Measurement is an essential part of empirical research. As such, understanding whether the frame of reference in which a measurement occurs is inertial is essential for accurate data. As a rotating sphere, Earth is a non-inertial frame of reference and gives rise to fictitious forces. These forces are derived through vector algebra and further solved through matrix differential equations. The final solution for how velocity evolves over time results in sinusoidal functions with a period of 24 hours for Earth. To test the equations further, rational scenarios are proposed for different locations on the surface of Earth involving different initial …