Taking a break from applied technology, how about remedial physics?
What do MPH and RPM have in common?
Time is a dimension we have divided precisely, based upon, but not dependent upon, the movement of Earth around the Sun. Our division of time does not exactly agree with the rotation of Earth and has to be corrected at regular intervals. It could be divided arbitrarily, but the days and seasons might not agree with nature.
The Earth rotates in a counterclockwise (west to east) direction at approx. 1040 MPH at the equator. If you went to Brazil near the equator and drove a car 100 MPH west, you'd actually be going backwards at 940 MPH and wind up in the Atlantic ocean?
Rotational speed of an object on Earth is not dependent on the rotation of the planet. Either is land speed. As long as we have precise and agreed upon divisions of time and distance, the rotation of Earth could cease and we would still be able to apply our divisions of time. We would still be able to play a football game, do the dishes and take a walk, weather permitting.
What do MPH and RPM have in common?
Time is a dimension we have divided precisely, based upon, but not dependent upon, the movement of Earth around the Sun. Our division of time does not exactly agree with the rotation of Earth and has to be corrected at regular intervals. It could be divided arbitrarily, but the days and seasons might not agree with nature.
The Earth rotates in a counterclockwise (west to east) direction at approx. 1040 MPH at the equator. If you went to Brazil near the equator and drove a car 100 MPH west, you'd actually be going backwards at 940 MPH and wind up in the Atlantic ocean?
Rotational speed of an object on Earth is not dependent on the rotation of the planet. Either is land speed. As long as we have precise and agreed upon divisions of time and distance, the rotation of Earth could cease and we would still be able to apply our divisions of time. We would still be able to play a football game, do the dishes and take a walk, weather permitting.